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Oklahoma Aerospace and Defense Innovation Institute

OADII brings together the full range of the university’s capabilities and resources to provide holistic solutions addressing the aerospace, defense, and global security challenges of today and tomorrow. By uniting the vast resources of a major research university with a network of industry and government partners, OADII advances security, liberty, and prosperity for our state, nation, and world. We are growing in national prominence in four crucial areas:

The inaugural OU defense symposium featured a full day of discussion, including keynotes and panels on topics such as climate security, security implications of emerging technologies, warfare in the era of social media and Sino-Russia relations - implications on U.S. security. 

radar innovations

Ensuring National and Global Security through Radar Innovations

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sustainment and modernization

Supporting the Defense Sustainment and Modernization Enterprise

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advanced technologies

Addressing Emerging Security Challenges through Advanced Technologies

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Developing Innovative and Agile International Security Policy Solutions

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Featured News

The University of Oklahoma Opens New Advanced Manufacturing Lab

November 28, 2023

Today, government, military and defense industry leaders attended a grand opening event for the University of Oklahoma’s new Sooner Advanced Manufacturing Lab. The lab enables research and workforce development to support the growing defense industry in Oklahoma.

General (Ret) Robin Rand Named as Interim Executive Director of OADII

October 18, 2023

General (ret) Robin Rand has been named Interim Executive Director of the Oklahoma Aerospace and Defense Innovation Institute at the University of Oklahoma, effective Oct. 16, 2023. The University of Oklahoma and the U.S. Air Force Sustainment Center announced the passing of Lt Gen (ret) Donald “Gene” Kirkland on Oct. 5, 2023. Kirkland served as the institute’s inaugural executive director since 2021.

The University of Oklahoma

OU, as the state’s flagship institution founded in 1890, is focused on societal impact through research and creative activity. OU bridges disparate academic disciplines together to foster creative, comprehensive solutions to global challenges. In our vision for research and creative activity, researchers move beyond and across traditional academic boundaries, collaborating across disciplines and globally with other universities, policymakers, economists, and business leaders to create solutions for a better world. Our goal is to transcend academic disciplines and bring all of OU’s institutional strengths together to tackle global challenges and accelerate the delivery of practical solutions that impact society in direct and tangible ways.