FAYETTEVILLE -- Research being done at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville is vital for the state and region's economic health and for national security, U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton said Friday.
Cotton, R-Ark., brought his entire staff from his state and Washington, D.C., offices to Fayetteville to learn more about that research.
Cotton cited the plan unveiled by the Northwest Arkansas Council, a group of the region's business and community leaders, in July that called for doubling research and development spending at the university to roughly $300 million a year. The federal government can contribute more research funding to diversify both the research base and the ideas being developed, he said.
The senator started the day meeting with University Chancellor Joseph Steinmetz and other administrators.
"We are very pleased that Sen. Cotton had his staff from Washington, D.C., and Arkansas join him on his visit to the University of Arkansas today," Steinmetz said later in the day Friday. "It's such a great opportunity to be able to share the many things happening across our campus in research and innovation with a member of the delegation and we appreciate his continued support of our institution."
Cotton, an Army veteran, is a member of the Senate Committee on Armed Service and the Senate Select Committee.
"We learned some hard lessons with the F-35," a fighter airplane that has run far over budget and hasn't met expectations, Cotton said. "One of those lessons is fix the requirements we want early and also to invest in modular technology."
Modular technology, for instance, would allow changes and improvements to the weapon guidance system without interfering with the navigation system or other electronics.
Modular systems can use technology developed anywhere instead of relying on one integrated supplier for the whole weapons or intelligence-gathering system, Cotton said. That creates greater opportunities nationwide for universities and other researchers to innovate, contribute and compete for contracts, he said. Research into more capable materials using nanotechnology, along with artificial intelligence and other information technologies, is critical, he said.
Cotton joined his staff for the start of the tour at the Engineering Research Center at 700 Research Center Blvd. in south Fayetteville.
NW News on 10/27/2018