Wallace Design Collective

A growing field in the United States and the world, OSU has become a major contributor to unmanned systems research, design, fabrication and applications. This growing OSU strength has resulted in the founding of the Unmanned Systems Research Institute that will bring together multidisciplinary expertise – engineering, computer science, sensor technologies and aviation education among others – not only at OSU but across institutions to collaborate on developing future unmanned technologies, including land-based and underwater systems.

Wallace provided structural and civil engineering services for the 10,000 square foot, one-story testing, research and training center for unmanned aerial systems. The new facility replaces a building that was not well laid out for the researchers’ needs. USRI contains an electrical room, 3D printing room, integration rooms, composite room, light manufacturing room and an engine-testing chamber. Additionally, the facility includes dedicated space for a storm-chasing vehicle and storage space. USRI utilizes this single facility instead of going to multiple engineering facilities to work on each portion of a project. USRI teams provide services to the Federal Aviation Administration, Oklahoma Emergency Management, National Weather Service, U.S. Armed Forces and General Electric.

Photos: ©Simon Hurst Photography