The Air Force Educational Partnership Agreement could be extended to universities such as Cal Poly Pomona and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo to advance the next generation of military technology

Pomona, CA – U.S. Representatives Norma J. Torres (CA-35), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), and Grace F. Napolitano (CA-32) announced that their provision to increase federal funding by $5 million to assist the U.S. Air Force Educational Partnership Agreement has passed the U.S. House of Representatives as part of H.R. 2740, the first minibus of fiscal year 2020 appropriations bills.

California universities such as Cal Poly Pomona and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo could participate in the program to research, test, and develop technologies to improve reliability, performance, survivability, affordability, and environmental compatibility. The funding will allow the Air Force to increase engineering assistance to design, develop, and demonstrate the next generation of military domestic liquid rocket propulsion and aerospace systems technologies.

“Through innovative research and programs, California’s universities are preparing students to be the STEM leaders of tomorrow,” said Torres. “I’m pleased to have worked with Representatives Carbajal and Napolitano on this provision to invest in the Educational Partnership Agreement. It will not only ensure that our men and women in the Air Force are on the cutting-edge of military technology, but also provide students with the skills and training they will need to be competitive in the workforce.”

“I’m proud to have worked with Rep. Torres and Rep. Napolitano to secure this aerospace funding—I know it will make a difference throughout our nation,” said Carbajal. “I’m excited to see how our universities will use this to transform technology and support the next generation of aerospace leaders.”

“The Cal Polys are the premier applied research institutions in the country and will use this funding to create the next generation of aerospace engineers, while assisting the Air Force in research, development, and evaluation of aviation technologies,” said Napolitano. “I thank my colleagues, Reps. Torres and Carbajal, for leading this effort to continue this great partnership between our universities and the Air Force.”

“Our Cal Poly Pomona students are already working on being the first to launch a liquid fuel rocket into space, building aerospace propulsion systems and designing secured unmanned autonomous vehicles. The proposed funding would allow the university to accelerate the students’ work in these areas and make important improvements to the Liquid Rocket Lab and other aerospace engineering facilities,” said Dr. Joseph Rencis, Dean of the College of Engineering at Cal Poly Pomona. “Cal Poly Pomona appreciates the efforts of Congresswoman Norma Torres, Congresswoman Grace Napolitano, and Congressman Salud Carbajal  to secure this funding which would expand the university’s learn by doing opportunities and contribute to California’s continuing leadership in the aerospace industry.”

The Air Force has a great need for increased engineering assistance to design, develop, and demonstrate the next generation of space and missile rocket propulsion. The Educational Partnership Agreement program researches, assembles, and tests domestic rockets and complimenting military systems to ensure that the U.S. is not reliant on foreign sources or capabilities.