Kansas aerospace research and development institutions sit at the forefront of aerospace innovation. The state is home to multiple leading research universities, including Wichita State University, Kansas State University and the University of Kansas. They directly support aerospace research and development in key emerging entrant technologies as part of the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Alliance for System Safety of UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems) through Research Excellence (ASSURE).
Each of these universities support national aerospace research and development centers and research for a multitude of state, government and industry partners: WSU has an over ramp, operations control center, batter drop test setup and both WSU and KU have wind tunnel testing capability.

Kansas offers a uniquely capable environment for aerospace testing, combining major airports, specialized research institutions, expansive airspace, and military test infrastructure. K-State Salina provides flight-test engineering, UAS research, BVLOS operations, airworthiness and systems testing, with access to Salina Regional Airport’s 12,000-foot-plus runway, nearby Smoky Hill restricted airspace, and the Smoky Hill MOA. The state also offers specialized opportunities through the Kelly Hills UAS Test Range, while the Smoky Hill Air National Guard Range provides a large-scale environment for military operations and weapons testing; Crisis City near Salina adds another controlled environment for emergency response, UAS, and public-safety testing. Together, these assets give aerospace and defense companies access to flight testing, advanced UAS development, operational evaluations, and specialized military testing within a highly connected Kansas aerospace ecosystem.