• The Florida Institute of Technology and the Air Force Technical Applications Center renewed a military research agreement 
• First signed in 2016 and renewed in 2019, this iteration of the Cooperative Research and Development Agreement builds upon previous research efforts
• The agreement allows for quick research exchanges that both parties can use to produce scientific findings to be used by the United States Air Force

The Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech) and the Air Force Technical Applications Center (AFTAC) renewed a development agreement that facilitates research on military technology and its development.

A Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA), which functions as a government contract and permits research and development cooperation between federal laboratories and non-federal entities, was recently signed by representatives from AFTAC and Florida Tech. The agreement allows for quick research exchanges that both parties can use to produce scientific findings.

“This partnership is extremely important for us, extremely valuable for us, and we are proud to have this level of partnership in this area,” said Marco Carvalho, executive vice president, provost and COO of Florida Tech and one of the three signatories on the agreement. “So thank you for being colleagues, thank you for working with us and giving us the opportunity to be involved in important research that can benefit the country.”

First executed in 2016 and then renewed in 2019, the CRADA has evolved since its original signing.

According to Florida Tech, the partnership was initially focused on cloud computing but has since broadened to include all of AFTAC’s mission sets, including geophysical, nuclear materials and detonations, prompt diagnostics, atmosphere and space operations, as well as tech innovation and environmental science.

Florida Tech, located in Melbourne, is located within miles of the Patrick Space Force Base. The base, affiliated with the Air Force until recent years, houses AFTAC and continues to serve various Air Force mission purposes.

“As our hometown partner of choice, I realize this is the third CRADA we have with you. We want to do whatever we can to strengthen that relationship. We do see in the graduates and the students that you have here the future of our workforce,” said AFTAC Commander Col. James Finlayson.

Per the agreement, it is estimated the Air Force will save more than $500,000 from the collaborative efforts between the two organizations.