July 2024
People’s heads may be in the clouds this summer, traveling or dreaming of travels to someplace cool. Our transportation R&D is focused there, too—on electric air taxis, pilot health, the effects of microweather, and more.
All Systems Go
One hot topic in the MITRE world: Our incoming president and CEO, Mark Peters, takes the helm in September as our 10th CEO. He’ll succeed Jason Providakes, who served MITRE and our mission for 35 years. Peters, a national energy labs executive and scientist, brings expertise in nuclear energy, national and homeland security, and environmental science and technology. Welcome to #TeamMITRE!
And happy birthday to us! July marked 66 years of solving problems for a safer world. It’s a big milestone, and we’re just getting started.
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OUR CULTURE IN ACTION
Working “Double Duty”
Dagmara Shepard is one of many on #TeamMITRE serving as a military reservist. Watch how she integrates her MITRE role with her experience as an Army sergeant major.
WHO’S NEXT
Not Your Average 9 to 5
Computer engineer Hannah Roberts flew in a Blackhawk, demonstrated counter-drone technology in Saudi Arabia, and trained soldiers in Poland—all in her first year on the job. Her work with uncrewed aerial vehicles takes her places she’d never imagined.
PIN DROP
Welcome, Next-Gen STEM Leaders!
Our 2024 interns: Meet 400 students representing more than 100 universities and high schools. A MITRE internship offers experience working on real government-sponsor projects. This year’s impressive cohort is learning from industry experts on our McLean and Bedford campuses—and at our locations across the country.
A+ talent: “Our intern class is a dynamic mix of talents, showcasing advanced technical skills in areas like AI and cyber operations, along with a dedication to service.” –Angie Morris, MITRE Student Programs manager
AVIATION IMPACT
All Weather is Local
The challenge: When electric air taxis take to the skies, weather takes on new meaning. Advanced Air Mobility (a.k.a. AAM) operations are affected by wind flow patterns at the micro-level: over concrete, asphalt, grass, and trees. Even winds stirred up between buildings could endanger or ground an AAM vehicle.
Bottom line: AAM operators need greater insight into the hazards their vehicles might face in a given environment.
Our solution: MITRE’s researchers developed algorithms to translate microweather into different levels of risk posed to AAM operations. The resulting product, Shake and Sharp™, can evaluate microweather conditions in any environment for which researchers can import building, infrastructure, and land-use data. It can also model how conditions change over time.
Why it matters: Ultimately, Shake and Sharp may be used to determine the best locations for AAM operations, the most ideal sites for vertiports, even the safest routes and schedules.
UPGRADE IN PROGRESS
In-Flight Health
Naturally, pilots must be medically ready to fly. Yet the process the Federal Aviation Administration uses to determine medical fitness hasn’t changed much in a century.
Key questions: What does that mean in terms of mental health, coronary artery disease, or other treatable conditions? Are some pilots being unnecessarily grounded? Or, worse, avoiding treatment so they can stay at the controls?
The solution: MITRE and the FAA are spearheading a collaborative research effort to modernize the aeromedical certification process—and make it a worldwide exemplar. The aviation industry is a key partner in this needed upgrade.
The goal: Maintain safety while supporting pilots’ health and career aspirations.
WE’RE HIRING
Join our talent community of innovators, learners, knowledge-sharers, and risk-takers. Check out opportunities to amplify your impact for public good.