Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • Professor of Autonomy and AI appointed by BAE Systems and Cranfield

Defence

Professor of Autonomy and AI appointed by BAE Systems and Cranfield

Professor Gokhan Inalhan has been appointed as Professor of Autonomy and Artificial Intelligence at Cranfield University, a position sponsored by BAE Systems.

Professor Inalhan (right) joins Cranfield from Istanbul Technical University, where he is currently Director General of its Aerospace Research Centre. He will commence his role in the university’s Centre for Autonomous and Cyber-Physical Systems on 1st December.

Professor Antonios Tsourdos, Head of Centre, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming Gokhan to Cranfield later this year. His reputation as a leading expert in his field precedes him and we are very much looking forward to drawing on his research, reputation and experience to enhance our work. This appointment is yet another fantastic example of how Cranfield works closely with industry partners to enhance research across the aerospace industry.”

Advertisement
Gulfstream RT

Julia Sutcliffe, Chief Technology Officer at BAE Systems Air, said: “Autonomous systems and artificial intelligence have the potential to provide a substantial positive impact upon product, service, and industrial capabilities. This prestigious appointment, in a growing and highly disruptive field, will enable BAE Systems to leverage the latest technologies in these areas and bring together the best of British expertise to ensure that the UK remains a world leader in combat air technology.”
About Professor Inalhan

Professor Inalhan completed a PhD in Aeronautics and Astronautics at Stanford University and worked first at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology before returning to the place of his undergraduate studies, Istanbul Technical University, in 2006.

He founded the University’s Controls and Avionics Laboratory, co-founded its Aerospace Research Center and Air Transportation Management Program, and served as co-ordinator for its Defense Technologies Program and Board Member for its Center for Satellite Communications and Remote Sensing.

Professor Inalhan was elected an Associate Fellow (class of 2020) of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and is a senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). He serves on various industry committees and advisory boards, and in 2018 was awarded a Boeing Faculty Fellowship. Professor Inalhan received the IEEE Aerospace Electronic System Society Exceptional Service Award in 2019.

Advertisement
Teledyne

His expertise spans autonomy, advanced flight controls, applications of artificial intelligence to air transportation and autonomy, design and air traffic management of aerial vehicles, multiple vehicle co-ordination, avionics systems, data-driven decision-making systems, spacecraft design and controls, air transportation, large-scale optimisation, spacecraft and UAV fleet co-ordination, and formation flight.
A world-leading centre for research

Commenting on his appointment, Professor Inalhan said: “I am delighted to join Cranfield University and its world-renowned team of experts at the Centre for Autonomous and Cyber-Physical Systems. With new investments such as its Aerospace Integration Research Centre (AIRC), the upcoming Digital Aviation Research and Technology Centre (DARTeC) and its global research airport, Cranfield has become a world-leading centre for transformational research in the future of the aerospace sector. I would like to thank BAE Systems for sponsoring this unique position and what it signifies. From the design process to manufacturing and operation, autonomy and AI will be critical in developing cutting-edge technologies for the aerospace, defence and transportation systems.”

 

Advertisement
Babcock LB
Lane Electronics to showcase defence connectivity at MSPO

Aerospace Defence Events

Lane Electronics to showcase defence connectivity at MSPO

11 July 2025

Lane Electronics, a franchised distributor for many of the industry’s major electrical, electronic and optical connector manufacturers, will be Exhibiting at MSPO 2025 (2nd–5th September 2025, Kielce, Poland), where they will be displaying the latest connector innovations and demonstrating their UK based assembling and value add services.

Flitetec secures two distribution agreements

Aerospace Defence Events

Flitetec secures two distribution agreements

11 July 2025

Amersham based aerospace business Flitetec, has confirmed two major deals that it shook on at the recent Paris Air Show.

GKN Aerospace secures Typhoon transparencies contract

Defence

GKN Aerospace secures Typhoon transparencies contract

10 July 2025

GKN Aerospace has signed a six-year follow-on contract with BAE Systems for continued manufacture of Eurofighter Typhoon transparencies at its Luton facility, through to the end of 2030.

Metis to supply Skyperion to NATO ally

Defence Security

Metis to supply Skyperion to NATO ally

10 July 2025

Metis has won a contract to supply a number of Skyperion drone detection systems to a NATO customer to provide the drone detect function as part of an integrated Counter Uncrewed Air Systems (C-UAS) capability.

Advertisement
ODU RT
ALL.SPACE unveils Hydra MAX

Defence Space

ALL.SPACE unveils Hydra MAX

10 July 2025

ALL.SPACE has revealed a major advancement in mobile satellite communications with the successful demonstration of Hydra MAX - the first network independent terminal of its kind to deliver ultra wideband communications to multiple satellites simultaneously.

BAE Systems assessed

Defence

BAE Systems assessed 'Awardable' for US DoD work in P1 Solutions Marketplace

9 July 2025

BAE Systems in collaboration with Defense Unicorns, have announced that their joint solution has achieved 'Awardable' status for US Department of Defense (DoD) work through the US Platform One (P1) Solutions Marketplace.

Advertisement
Gulfstream RT