Innovation
Building What Aviation Needs Next
The future of aviation will depend on technologies, ideas, and solutions that have not yet been created. Vector90 Aviation is developing an applied research and development program that connects real aviation challenges with engineering talent, technical experience, and the freedom to explore what is possible.
Through partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities, we want to create opportunities for the next generation to research, design, test, and help develop solutions for the aviation industry.
Expanding the Possibilities
Beyond Careers, Toward Creation
Aviation outreach has done important work introducing young people to careers as pilots, technicians, and engineers. Vector90 wants to add another possibility to that conversation: creation.
Students should also be able to imagine themselves developing new aircraft technology, improving existing systems, creating intellectual property, launching companies, and solving problems the industry has not solved yet.
Our goal is not to tell every student to become an entrepreneur. It is to make sure they know that innovation and ownership are possibilities available to them.
The R&D Model
Vector90’s approach to innovation begins inside aviation operations, where technicians and operators encounter practical challenges every day.
Instead of creating research projects simply for the sake of research, we want to connect engineering talent with problems that have a real user, a real operating environment, and the potential for meaningful impact.
Innovation Through HBCU Engineering
Vector90 plans to build research and development partnerships with HBCUs, creating opportunities for engineering students to apply what they are learning to real aviation challenges.
These collaborations can bring together students, faculty, technicians, and industry professionals around projects involving aircraft systems, avionics, manufacturing, propulsion, materials, and emerging technologies.
Applied Research
Give students access to aviation problems that can become research projects, senior capstones, or longer-term technical investigations.
Hands-On Development
Create opportunities to move beyond theory into design, prototyping, testing, documentation, and evaluation.
Innovation & Ownership
Expose students to what can happen after an idea works, including certification, intellectual property, product development, entrepreneurship, and commercialization.
Our Capabilities Will Expand What We Can Explore
Avionics
Machine Shop & Advanced Manufacturing
Machine Shop & Advanced Manufacturing
Our initial operating environment creates opportunities to explore aircraft electrical systems, communications, navigation, digital systems, wiring, diagnostics, and future avionics technologies.
Machine Shop & Advanced Manufacturing
Machine Shop & Advanced Manufacturing
Machine Shop & Advanced Manufacturing
Future machining and fabrication capabilities can provide an environment for prototyping, component development, testing, and experimental manufacturing.
NDT & Materials
Machine Shop & Advanced Manufacturing
NDT & Materials
Non-destructive testing can support research involving component integrity, materials, inspection methods, failure analysis, and aircraft reliability.
Propulsion
Machine Shop & Advanced Manufacturing
NDT & Materials
As Vector90 develops propulsion capabilities, the R&D environment can expand into engine technology, performance, predictive maintenance, alternative propulsion concepts, and related systems.
What Could Come From It?
An Idea Can Become More Than a Project
A successful research project may improve a maintenance process. Another may lead to a new tool or aircraft component. Some ideas may eventually support patents, FAA approvals, Supplemental Type Certificates, licensing opportunities, new companies, or technologies that do not exist today.
We cannot predict which ideas will change aviation. We can help create an environment where talented people have the opportunity to find out.