05/07/2026
Recently, UNT College of Engineering welcomed UNT ARMY ROTC cadets to Discovery Park for an immersive look at how engineering research is shaping the future of defense, mobility and advanced technologies.
During the visit, cadets toured the UNT Advanced Air Mobility (UAAM) Test Facility alongside Department Chair of UNT Department of Electrical Engineering Shengli Fu, who oversees UAAM and leads research initiatives connected to autonomous systems, drone technologies and advanced mobility innovation. Students explored drone testing operations, autonomous systems research and the growing role of advanced air mobility in both industry and national defense applications.
The group also met with faculty researchers, including UNT Department of Materials Science and Engineering faculty members Associate Dean Andrey Voevodin and Dr. Diana Berman, whose research has contributed to Army and Department of Defense-supported drone propulsion and materials projects focused on improving durability and performance in unmanned aerial systems.
For many of these cadets preparing to commission this semester and next, the visit provided a firsthand look at how academics, research and industry collaboration intersect in real-world environments. Experiences like this continue strengthening the connection between higher education, engineering innovation and service leadership while preparing students to solve complex challenges in the field and beyond.
