Stakeholder Directory

The people who make The Shirley Lab real.

A partnership of this scope succeeds through specific individuals with specific authority. This directory maps the key roles across government, academia, industry, and the international sector — and defines what each person's participation means for the lab's establishment and operation.

Establishing The Shirley Lab as an FFRDC requires champions in each partner category. University presidents create the institutional commitment. DoD program officers provide the contract vehicles. State officials unlock regulatory support and economic incentives. Industry executives bring cooperative research agreements and co-location. Ukrainian counterparts formalize the international partnership. Each role below is a node in the network that makes the lab viable.

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Government & Department of Defense
6 roles
Role Organization Significance
OUSD(R&E) Director Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for R&E Critical Path Authorizes new FFRDC designations. The single most important government signature on the establishment pathway.
DARPA Program Manager Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Research Funder Authors the BAA or other-transaction agreement that provides the initial research contract. The practical funding anchor for Phase 1.
AFRL Commander Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB Research Funder USAF's primary research arm. Co-sponsorship with DARPA diversifies the DoD funding base and broadens the lab's service equities.
Tinker AFB Commander Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma City Test Support Enables classified program support, restricted airspace access, and operational integration. Geographic proximity to the lab is a force multiplier.
Oklahoma Governor State of Oklahoma State Champion Signals state commitment to DoD partners. Unlocks economic development incentives, state matching funds, and legislative support for Burns Flat operations.
Director, OK Dept. of Aerospace Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics Regulatory Manages Burns Flat spaceport operations. State regulatory partner for FAA coordination and BVLOS authorization pathways.
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University Partners
6 roles
Role Organization Significance
President University of Oklahoma Co-Manager Authority Signs the consortium agreement that makes OU a co-managing institution. Commits university resources, faculty, and institutional reputation.
President Oklahoma State University Co-Manager Authority Signs the consortium agreement for OSU. USRI history makes OSU the stronger UAS-specific credential. Stillwater campus proximity to Burns Flat is an asset.
VP for Research University of Oklahoma Research Operations Manages sponsored research infrastructure. Negotiates indirect cost rates with DoD. Coordinates technology transfer and IP management for the lab.
VP for Research Oklahoma State University Research Operations OSU's sponsored research infrastructure. Key interface for USRI integration and OSU faculty assignments to lab programs.
Dean, School of Aerospace University of Oklahoma Faculty Pipeline Controls faculty assignment to lab programs. Shapes the PhD pipeline that will staff the lab and produce the next generation of unmanned systems engineers.
Director, USRI Oklahoma State University UAS Expertise OSU's Unmanned Systems Research Institute is the most directly relevant existing institution. USRI integration is the clearest path to standing up credible UAS research fast.
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Defense Industry Partners
6 roles
Role Organization Significance
CEO / President Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Anchor Industry Partner Kratos's OKC facility and Valkyrie/Firejet programs make it the natural founding industry partner. CEO-level commitment signals the cooperative research agreements are executable.
VP Advanced Programs General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Platform Partner GA-ASI's MALE UAS expertise fills the persistent ISR and strike-capable platform dimension. Advanced Programs VP has the authority to commit to cooperative research agreements.
VP Autonomous Systems Boeing Defense, Space & Security Defense Prime Boeing's Loyal Wingman and MQ-25 programs provide the manned-unmanned teaming dimension. Oklahoma workforce makes them a natural state-anchored partner.
VP Aerospace Systems Northrop Grumman Defense Prime Global Hawk and X-47B credentials. EW and autonomous systems research fills a gap the other primes don't cover. Northrop's Systems division VP controls the relevant budget authority.
Director, Business Development Oklahoma Defense Industry Association (OLIA) State Industry Voice Coordinates Oklahoma's broader defense industrial base. Amplifies the lab's industry engagement beyond the four named primes to emerging UAS companies in-state.
Program Manager, UAS L3Harris Technologies Emerging Partner L3Harris's SUAS and tactical UAS programs complement the Kratos/GA-ASI portfolio. Program Manager level is the right entry point for a cooperative research agreement conversation.
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International & Ukraine UAV Sector
5 roles
Role Organization Significance
Deputy Minister of Defense, Weapons and Technology Ukraine Ministry of Defense MOU Authority Signs the formal partnership extension under the existing U.S.-Ukraine defense cooperation MOU. Government-to-government commitment that legitimizes the institutional relationship.
Director, Drone Coalition Ukraine Drone Coalition Industry Connector The umbrella body coordinating Ukraine's drone industry — Aerorozvidka, Ukrjet, and 300+ manufacturers. Single point of contact for the sector's participation in joint programs.
Head of UAS Programs Aerorozvidka Technical Partner Aerorozvidka's R18 and derivatives are among the most combat-proven systems in the world. Their engineering leads carry operational knowledge unavailable anywhere else.
Defense Attaché Embassy of Ukraine, Washington D.C. Diplomatic Channel The practical coordinator for ITAR-compliant information exchange, visa and travel arrangements for Ukrainian personnel, and U.S. interagency navigation.
NATO UAS Coordinator NATO Allied Command Transformation Alliance Partner ACT's UAS coordination role connects The Shirley Lab to the broader NATO UAS development ecosystem. Opens the door to allied participation beyond Ukraine.
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The Shirley Lab Leadership
5 roles to fill
Role Reports To Responsibilities
Lab Director Board of Governors Founding Hire Full operational authority. Must hold appropriate security clearance. 5-year renewable term. The face of the lab to DoD, industry, and the public.
Chief Science Officer Lab Director Founding Hire Sets research agenda. Oversees all technical programs. Manages faculty assignments from OU and OSU. Chairs the Scientific Council.
Director of Government Relations Lab Director Founding Hire Manages DoD sponsor relationships. Coordinates contract vehicles, security authorizations, and the DoD Liaison Office's daily interface with lab operations.
Director of Test Operations Lab Director Founding Hire Manages Burns Flat and Green Valley Farms. Coordinates FAA authorizations, range safety, and facility scheduling for all lab programs and visiting industry partners.
Director of International Programs Lab Director Founding Hire Manages the Ukraine UAV partnership and NATO relationships. Navigates ITAR and information-sharing protocols. Coordinates joint exercises at Green Valley Farms.