Development of foil bearings for aero-propulsion engines

The University of Texas at Arlington received a $700,000 Project Grant from the Office of Naval Research (ONR) under the Basic and Applied Scientific Research program (CFDA 12.300), awarded October 1, 2025, with a completion date of September 30, 2028. The award funds the development of foil bearings for aero-propulsion engines, a critical research initiative supporting advanced aerospace propulsion technology with direct applications to naval operations and defense capabilities. This three-year research project aligns with ONR's mission to discover, develop, and deliver new technology and capability for the Navy and Marine Corps by advancing materials science and propulsion system innovations.

UTA's Office of Research Administration, leveraging its substantial expertise in aerospace materials science and advanced propulsion research, serves as the prime grantee for this effort. Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc., a leading aerospace and defense propulsion systems manufacturer, was awarded a sub-grant on November 14, 2025, to contribute specialized expertise in advanced propulsion engineering and foil bearing technology development. The collaborative arrangement between the research institution and the aerospace industry partner demonstrates a typical ONR-supported research structure combining academic research capabilities with industry technical expertise to accelerate the development and maturation of foil bearing technologies for next-generation aero-propulsion systems.