Meet Our Ecosystem: Wichita State University, NIAR, and FirePoint

At the Defense Innovation OnRamp Hub: Kansas, we know that no single entity can transform national defense alone. Breakthroughs happen when the right partners align, bringing together expertise, resources, and a shared commitment to mission success. That’s why collaboration is at the heart of everything we do and why our strongest assets are the institutions and programs that power our ecosystem.

We’re proud to be a part of Wichita State University, an innovation-driven research university, and two of its leading applied research programs: the National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR), a national leader in aerospace innovation, and FirePoint Innovations Center, a catalyst for defense collaboration and technology transition. The Defense Innovation OnRamp Hub: Kansas is operated by FirePoint, extending its mission of accelerating defense innovation by connecting Department of War priorities with regional industry, academia, and entrepreneurs.

Wichita State University serves as the foundation of our innovation ecosystem, offering academic excellence, workforce development, and entrepreneurial energy all in one place. With a strong emphasis on applied learning, industry collaboration, and public-private partnerships, Wichita State is shaping the future of national security through education, research, and community engagement. From training future engineers and data scientists to supporting DoW-funded research and incubating high-tech startups, Wichita State ensures that Kansas is not only contributing to defense innovation but also building the talent and infrastructure to sustain it for decades to come.

One of the most visible examples of this is NIAR, the largest university-based aerospace R&D institution in the nation and a top 15 defense-funded institution. NIAR provides the Department of War with access to unmatched expertise in advanced materials and manufacturing; digital transformation/sustainment; automation; testing and certification; and modification and prototyping technologies. NIAR is known for turning complex problems into actionable solutions - from digitizing aging aircraft for the U.S. Air Force to testing next-generation materials for Army rotorcraft, NIAR delivers innovation that is measurable, mission-ready, and deeply rooted in engineering rigor. Their collaborative model enables rapid response to emerging defense needs while providing hands-on research opportunities for the next generation of STEM talent.

Alongside NIAR, FirePoint serves as a vital connector between the U.S. Army, industry, and academia, with a mission to accelerate the development and deployment of advanced technologies for national defense. FirePoint operates multiple contract vehicles to achieve this mission, including a Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) and the Defense Innovation OnRamp Hub: Kansas. Through these vehicles, FirePoint helps companies understand defense requirements, find the right partners, and transition solutions into military use; all while aligning with Army priorities and accelerating innovation at the speed of need.

What makes this ecosystem powerful is not just the individual strengths of each institution and program, but the way they all work together. Through its leading research and innovation programs, NIAR and FirePoint, Wichita State University drives collaboration, addresses critical capability gaps, and advances solutions across the defense innovation pipeline. This kind of collaboration enables the OnRamp Hub: Kansas to move fast, think big, and deliver results. Whether it’s prototyping a new unmanned system, launching a student challenge focused on warfighter needs, or connecting Midwest manufacturers to DoW opportunities, our ecosystem helps make it happen.