RITA NEWS & EVENTS

On April 2, 2024, chief scientists from the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) convened with staff, students, faculty and researchers from the Research Institute for Tactical Anatomy (RITA),  the Department of the Air Force’s first Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU)-led University Affiliated Research Center (UARC) at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. This inaugural meeting aimed to initiate collaborative projects focused on delivering tactical autonomy solutions to the warfighter.

Representatives from several of the nine RITA consortium members including Howard University, Jackson State University, and Norfolk State University, participated in the event. The collaboration is expected to address key research areas such as trust in mission autonomy, collaboration between platforms, and human-machine teaming challenges.

“By working closely with AFRL and other government agencies, we actively contribute to enhancing the capabilities of the warfighter, while also providing unparalleled opportunities for our students and faculty to make meaningful contributions to national security,” said Dr. Sonya Smith, executive director of the Research Institute for Tactical Autonomy UARC.

The event included presentations, lab and hangar tours, and discussions aimed at fostering long-term partnerships between AFRL and the participating members of the Research Institute for Tactical Autonomy UARC.

This summary is based on the article “AFRL chief scientists welcome HBCU partners to advance tactical autonomy” published on May 13, 2024, by Catherine Sprague, Air Force Research Laboratory Public Affairs. Read the full article here: Edwards Air Force Base News.