The aircraft market is expected to grow significantly in the near future. Research and development on internationally competitive technologies are promising, as well as growth of aviation industries as a core sector. In recent years, efforts to achieve “carbon neutrality in the skies” have accelerated. This includes reducing environmental impact by improvement of not only aircraft individual performance (such as manufacturing using light-weight materials, increasing propulsion efficiency and aerodynamic performance) but also flight and airport operations. Furthermore, development aimed at the societal implementation of next-generation mobility, such as eVTOLs (electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft), is gaining momentum. These backgrounds encourage cultivation of human resources who can meet future needs in aviation.
The “Aviation Technology Collaborative Program” was established in April 2010 in the Faculty of Engineering and the Graduate School of Engineering in cooperation with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The program promotes research and education in fields where technological innovation is expected in aircraft development. The program offers joint research themes in four areas of aviation technologies — flight systems, wind tunnel tests, composite structures, and future aviation propulsion — to guide graduate student research. Additionally, graduate students can
participate in research projects using JAXA’s large-scale testing facilities through a program such as the JAXA Internship Program. These programs provide students with hands-on experience in practical research and development at JAXA. The program also offers special lectures by visiting faculty members from JAXA and conducts joint research with JAXA in aviation technology-related fields.
Through the Aviation Technology Collaborative Program, we pursue enhancement of research and education by integrating features of both institutions, and challenge to create an innovation in aviation technology.
