The University of Kentucky, through UK Innovate, is teaming up with Lockheed Martin to leverage cutting-edge expertise to drive innovation in advancing engineering, materials, energy and manufacturing technology.
Lockheed Martin is a global defense technology company driving innovation and advancing scientific discovery. With 121,000 employees worldwide and more than 70,000 engineers, scientists and technologists, the company seeks to increase access to engineering and manufacturing education opportunities to help fill the need for technologists of the future.
"We are excited for the potential of this partnership and the collaborative expertise involved. This exemplifies the University of Kentucky's commitment to translating research into real-world solutions and UK Innovate's pledge to bolster that through connecting resources," said Landon Borders, senior associate director for innovation economic development and industry partnerships at UK Innovate. "By combining our research and development expertise with Lockheed Martin's industry leadership, we're poised to drive innovation that benefits both the Commonwealth and the nation."
"Our skilled workforce has been built in partnership with strong pillars in the Central Kentucky community, like the University of Kentucky," said Robert Bockrath, deputy vice president of Lockheed Martin Lexington Programs. "As the demand increases for innovative solutions quicker than ever, it is critical to continue to develop and foster our collaboration for future generations of engineers for years to come."
Lockheed Martin has more than 1,500 employees in Kentucky, to meet key global security customer needs and support their missions around the world. The company has worked with the state of Kentucky for more than 15 years. This has helped some of the nation's most important missions across air, land, space and sea.
"Working with Lockheed Martin allows us to leverage our engineering faculty's deep expertise, creating an ideal environment for impactful innovation," said Rudy Buchheit, Rebecca Burchett Liebert Dean of the UK Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering. "Our college works every day to prepare the next generation of engineers. This collaboration offers our students a unique opportunity to work with a leading industry partner and better understand what awaits them after graduating."
UK researchers are working to develop new manufacturing technologies and materials in the Next Generation Additive Manufacturing Research Laboratory, and are at the forefront of heat shield technology for spacecraft in the Gas Surface Interactions Lab.
The Pigman College of Engineering has made a strategic effort to address aerospace needs in Kentucky and beyond. It offers the only undergraduate degree in aerospace engineering in the state.
In 2024, four of Kentucky's top exports were related to materials and manufacturing: aerospace products and parts ($13.3 billion), motor vehicles ($3.7 billion), motor vehicle parts ($1.7 billion) and basic chemicals ($1.3 billion).
"Research drives innovation that can directly benefit Kentucky's industries. Working with Lockheed Martin offers a powerful collaboration between world-class industry insight and the expertise we have here on campus. It's the kind of partnership that not only accelerates breakthrough technologies but also strengthens our commitment to solving real-world challenges," said Kim Sayre, research and development partnerships manager, UK Innovate and Pigman College of Engineering.
About Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin is a global defense technology company driving innovation and advancing scientific discovery. The company's all-domain mission solutions and 21st Century Security vision accelerate the delivery of transformative technologies to ensure those who serve always stay ahead of ready. More information at www.lockheedmartin.com.
About UK Innovate
UK Innovate at the University of Kentucky drives economic, societal and entrepreneurial growth from research discoveries. Through technology commercialization, health care innovations, corporate partnerships, social innovation and economic development, UK Innovate helps researchers and entrepreneurs across UK Research and UK HealthCare accelerate their ideas into use. By connecting talent, research, corporate partners and community resources, UK Innovate works to move ideas into the world faster, where they can make the greatest societal and economic impact possible. Learn more: www.research.uky.edu/ukinnovate.
