Representatives from Arizona's aerospace and defense industries will meet with researchers from three universities to discuss current research and future technology needs on Friday, March 25 at the Eller College of Management on the University of Arizona campus.

This is the second meeting and workshop for the Aerospace and Defense Research Collaboratory (ADRC), a powerful statewide consortium of university and industry representatives. The ADRC launched earlier this year to advance aerospace and defense technologies in Arizona. The March 25 workshop is co-presented by the Aerospace and Defense Initiative of the Science Foundation of Arizona, a state research and development strategic investor.

The workshop is open to industry, academia, government and other sectors of the aerospace and defense industry. It will focus on technologies related to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and security, identifying short- and long-range business and research opportunities.

The event brings leaders from Arizona's aerospace and defense industries together with researchers from UA, Arizona State University and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to talk about future technical needs of the industry and how academia can best meet their challenges.

"Our job from a university standpoint is to listen to industry needs, and let them know what capabilities we can bring to the table to help them meet their challenges," said Jeff Goldberg, dean of the UA College of Engineering. "When universities in the state can pool their talent and technological resources to serve the needs of the aerospace and defense industry, the obvious advantage will go to companies in Arizona competing in this sector."

Speakers slated for the workshop include UA President Robert Shelton, Werner Dahm, director of the Security and Defense Systems Initiative at ASU and Jerry Proctor, deputy to the Commanding General of the U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence. Dahm is scheduled to cover the future technology needs of the Air Force while Proctor covers the same topic for the Army.

Friday's ADRC Workshop on Unmanned Aerial Systems and Security is at McClelland Hall on the University of Arizona campus. The ADRC was officially launched February 11 at the Polytechnic campus of Arizona State University. Its current industry partners include Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, Honeywell, General Atomics and Alion Science and Technology. Education partnerships include Arizona State University, the University of Arizona, UA College of Engineering and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.