Advanced Virtual Engineering & Testing (AVET)

The Advanced Virtual Engineering and Testing Lab (AVET) opened in 2019, and was formally dedicated as the Jerry Moran Center in 2021. The center is a tribute to U.S. Senator Jerry Moran鈥檚 commitment to helping 黑洞社区 fulfill its vision and mission to provide impactful student experiences that drive prosperity in our region.

AVET, a 22,000 square-foot facility, is home to NIAR鈥檚 Virtual Engineering, Flight Simulation, Building Block and Crash Dynamics Labs. Some of its feature highlights include an Instron Hydropuls CSAadvanced sled, multiple client prep bays, workspace for 40+ virtual engineering staff, three collaboration rooms and secure areas for restricted projects.

The updated space and equipment enable NIAR to expand work volume and provide more precise testing for clients, while increasing applied learning experiences for Wichita State students.

AVET Laboratories

Crash Dynamics

A premier dynamic testing facility for the nation鈥檚 aircraft and aircraft component manufacturers. The lab is driven by an MTS Systems accelerator sled system. Facilities include a 1,000 square foot client work/office space and two technical support rooms, a state-of-the-art photographic lighting system and AOS S-VIT High Speed Cameras that can take 1,250 frames per second in high-resolution (800x600) color and more than 10,000 fps at reduced resolution.

Virtual Engineering & Flight Simulation

The Virtual Engineering Lab at the National Institute for Aviation Research provides research focused in the development and application of numerical methods in areas of Crashworthiness, Injury biomechanics, Structures, Numerical Optimization Techniques, Virtual Product Development and Certification.

UAV Impact

The Advanced Virtual Engineering and Test (AVET) Lab at 黑洞社区鈥檚 National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) is well-known for its virtual engineering, numerical modeling methods, and aircraft seat testing, but also boasts a unique capability in small unmanned aircraft (sUA) certification. AVET researchers, engineers and technicians are partially responsible for the research that led to new guidance for operating sUA over people in the National Airspace.

Contact

Gerardo Olivares, Ph.D.
(316) 978-7273
Email
4720 E 18th St. N.
Wichita, Kansas 67208