Florida Atlantic University secures four million dollar Air Force flight simulator to advance artificial intelligence and aerospace research

FAU acquires a $4.5M mixed reality flight simulator from the U.S. Air Force to research AI, autonomy, and human performance in aerospace systems.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 4, 2026, 9:20 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Florida Atlantic University

Strategic expansion of research infrastructure

Florida Atlantic University’s College of Engineering and Computer Science has acquired a military-grade T-1A Jayhawk Mixed Reality (MR) and 3D Motion flight simulator. Awarded as an in-kind grant by the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research, the asset is housed within the university’s Center for Connected Autonomy and Artificial Intelligence (CA-AI). This acquisition marks a significant milestone in FAU’s effort to lead in the fields of autonomy, aerospace systems, and artificial intelligence. By integrating this advanced technology onto its campus, the university aims to provide its research community and industry partners with a sophisticated environment for complex systems testing.

Technical capabilities of the T-1A Jayhawk simulator

The simulator is a mid-tier training device that replicates the cockpit configuration and flight characteristics of the T-1A Jayhawk, a twin-engine jet used by the Air Force for advanced pilot training. It features a 3D-freedom motion platform and mixed-reality capabilities that blend physical controls with immersive digital environments. Unlike live-aircraft testing, which is often cost-prohibitive and restricted by safety limits, this platform allows investigators to simulate high-risk and degraded-condition scenarios. The open-source software architecture further enables researchers to modify flight models and integrate experimental algorithms for real-time evaluation of sensor fusion and adaptive autonomy.

Advancing autonomous decision making and trustworthy AI

A primary focus of the new simulator lab is the development and testing of intelligent systems that operate alongside human operators. Dr. Dimitris Pados, the project's principal investigator, emphasized that the platform allows for rigorous testing of how AI performs in safety-critical environments. Researchers can evaluate autonomous decision-making frameworks and sensor fusion strategies under repeatable conditions to ensure they are robust and resilient. This work is essential for building trustworthy AI that aligns with specific mission requirements and can handle the dynamic pressures of aerospace operations without the risks associated with real-world flight trials.