From left: Vigor Yang, AE School Chair; Nick Lappos, Senior Technical Fellow and AE Alumnus; Georgia Tech President Bud Peterson; Chris Van Buiten, Vice President, Sikorsky Innovations; Lakshmi Sankar, AE Assoc Chair and Raj Shenoy, Attributes Manager for the Naval Hawk Programs and AE Alumnus.

On April 24, the AE School was honored to host distinguished visitors from Sikorsky Aircraft. Our visitors received a briefing on AE's Vertical Lift Research Center of Excellence's efforts in advancing rotorcraft technology in the areas of aerodynamics and aeroacoustics, structures, structural dynamics and vibrations, and flight control. They also received briefings on the UAV Research facility and the Aerospace Systems Design Lab.

In his inspiring seminar titled "Technology Opportunities in the Rotorcraft Industry", Chris Van Buiten, Vice President, Sikorsky Innovations addressed the challenges facing the rotorcraft industry as declining budgets and increased profit scrutiny place a strain on rotorcraft original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).  Foreign countries are establishing their own aerospace industries and requiring local participation from these indigenous industries in order for OEMs to win business in their countries.

The products under development now, as well as the supply chain to design, build, and service these products, are more complex and global than they have ever been.  Managing this complexity is a key challenge in our industry.  Chris VanBuiten discussed Sikorsky's focused technology approach along three pillars - Speed, Autonomy, and Actualization - coupled with an over-arching company strategy that will allow Sikorsky to succeed and grow in the rotorcraft industry of the future.  His presentation addressed these opportunities and provided an inspiring insight into Sikorsky's technology strategies.

Our visitors also met with President Bud Peterson.  The President expressed his deep appreciation for the support and encouragement of Sikorsky in our educational and research programs.