President Robbins: Why Arizona Should Fund Hypersonics Research

In a recent op-ed for Arizona Capitol Times, University of Arizona President Robert Robbins and Raytheon Missile Systems President Wes Kremer shared their opinions on why Arizona should further invest in hypersonics research at institutions like the University of Arizona. Robbins and Kremer also discussed the UA and Raytheon's partnerships with regards to hypersonics, including research, manufacturing and workforce development.

"Raytheon is hiring University of Arizona engineers as fast as they can graduate... At the federal level, we’ve seen that great things can happen when industry and academic institutions partner to develop advanced weapons for the good of our country – and the next big playing field is hypersonics," Robbins and Kremer wrote. "Our organizations are again aggressively investing in our partnership this year. The University of Arizona is home to the state’s only public wind tunnels, equipment used to test and understand high-speed flight and maneuvering."

They also discussed UA's budget request for a wind tunnel upgrade, which would allow industry to test and understand hypersonic travel in Arizona, students and faculty to lead the nation on hypersonics research, and the university to attract other space and defense companies.

"Remember, hypersonic speeds have untapped potential for space research as well as defense," they wrote.