Airbus will locate an engineering center on WSU’s Innovation Campus
WSU, through its Wichita State Innovation Alliance Inc., signs letters of intent with Airbus Americas to locate the company’s Wichita engineering center in a new building on the university’s Innovation Campus.
Airbus will move from its current location in downtown Wichita, bringing around 400 employees to campus and many opportunities for applied learning in aerospace engineering.
“Airbus’ presence on campus will allow them quick and easy access to our research and testing labs, faculty expertise and student employees,” said John Tomblin, vice president for research and technology transfer.
In recent years, Airbus has strengthened its relationship with the university, especially the National Institute for Aviation Research. In addition to contracting recurring composites and manufacturing training for its employees, Airbus recently performed full-scale structural testing of an A350 XWB pylon structure in NIAR’s Aircraft Structural Test and Evaluation Center. The pylon was designed by Airbus’ Wichita engineering office, and the test was the first of its kind to be conducted outside of the company’s European facilities.