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University of Iowa—s Operator Performance Lab outlines flight‑test work, Lockheed and NASA partnerships
Summary
Professor Thomas Chanel told the Board of Regents on June 12, 2025, that the Operator Performance Lab (OPL) has overseen 427 externally funded projects totaling about $38 million and described recent flight testing with Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, NASA research commercialization and Air Force test‑pilot collaborations.
Professor Thomas Chanel, director of the Operator Performance Lab (OPL) at the University of Iowa, briefed the Board of Regents on June 12, 2025, summarizing nearly 27 years of OPL work in flight testing, human factors and airborne autonomy.
Chanel described OPL as a university flight‑test organization that operates a mix of manned and unmanned test beds — including surplus jets and helicopters outfitted with modern avionics — to conduct experiments and demonstrations for government and industry customers. He said the OPL has supported 427 projects with approximately $38 million in external funding to date and that the lab has direct partnerships and…
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