UNC Charlotte Creates Defense Research Center To Support Military Tech Development

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte unveiled the National Defense and Intelligence Innovation Institute on Monday. This new center will speed up military research and tech projects for national security partners. It coordinates defense projects, partnerships, and workforce training throughout the campus.

The institute links faculty with government and industry partners. Its mission is to advance research and convert dual-use technologies into working military capabilities. NDI3 acts as the main hub for all defense work at UNC Charlotte.

"UNC Charlotte is doing meaningful work in support of the military and the broader defense community, and this institute allows us to move faster, with greater coordination and impact," said Sharon Gaber, chancellor of the school, in a statement per Inside UNC Charlotte.

The center capitalizes on what the university does best: advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, data science, AI systems, unmanned systems, operational energy, and optics. Projects will concentrate on applied research, fast prototyping, and tech transition connected to military requirements.

Mesbah Uddin, professor of mechanical engineering and engineering science, will run operations as executive director. Jacqueline Selig-Gumtow, a former senior executive service leader at the National Security Agency, takes on the deputy executive director role.

"Our focus is on translating mission-critical research into operationally relevant solutions," Uddin said. "NDI3 is designed to bring researchers, students, and partners together to address real defense and security challenges."

The university already has finished and ongoing defense work that will transfer into NDI3. These include unmanned aerial systems, vehicle systems, AI modeling, directed energy, military suicide prevention research, applied behavioral health, and training innovation.

Initial partners include the U.S. Army DEVCOM Ground Vehicle Systems Center and the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division. Industry partners include AlphaTech Partners, BigBear.ai, Corvid Technologies, Hendrick Technical Solutions, and RCR Manufacturing Solutions.

"UNC Charlotte has demonstrated the ability to partner with Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division in multiple technology areas and has been a key partner in developing NSWC Crane's research capability," said Captain Rex Boonyobhas, commanding officer of NSWC Crane Division.

North Carolina's defense and military sector supports more than 650,000 jobs statewide. UNC Charlotte is the state's largest urban research university.