CLEARFIELD, Utah — Weber State University (WSU), in partnership with 47G | Utah Aerospace & Defense (47G) and state and national leaders gathered yesterday to celebrate a major milestone in the future of defense, innovation and workforce development. The event marked the official recognition of the Miller Advanced Research & Solutions (MARS) Center, a cutting-edge research and manufacturing facility helping to ensure the United States stays ahead in the global race for hypersonic capabilities.
The celebration brought together university leaders, elected officials, industry partners and students to recognize how far the center has come since its founding in August 2022 and to chart its course ahead. The event featured a series of brief remarks followed by a hands-on tour of the facility, showcasing the state-of-the-art equipment and student-led innovation fueling its momentum.
“The MARS Center is not just a research facility—it’s positioned to be a national asset,” said WSU President Brad Mortensen during the event. “It demonstrates the power of partnership between higher education, defense and industry to deliver real solutions for national security and create meaningful opportunities for students in Utah.”
The MARS Center was established to help close a critical national capability gap in advanced materials and manufacturing. While one key focus is the pilot-scale production of high-temperature materials for hypersonic and reentry systems, the center’s impact extends far beyond. As a collaborative innovation hub, MARS brings together federal labs, defense integrators, startups and academic researchers to accelerate next-generation solutions from concept to real-world application. With its unique equipment, industry partnerships and support for small business research and development, MARS is fueling innovation in defense and beyond—including applications in commercial aerospace, energy systems and emerging technologies like next-gen reactors and steam plants.
Through hands-on collaboration with integrators like Northrop Grumman, Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Raytheon, MARS is enabling the leap from Manufacturing Readiness Level 4 to 6—moving beyond prototyping to pilot-scale production of reusable, advanced thermal protection systems.
As a university-based applied research center, MARS also plays a pivotal role in workforce development. More than 90% of students who participate in research activities at MARS remain engaged through graduation. Students are paid competitive wages to contribute directly to live pilot projects, gaining experience in areas ranging from composite fabrication and thermal testing to systems engineering and data curation.
WSU graduates with MARS experience are already being recruited by major defense firms and national labs, aligning directly with Utah’s goal of keeping top STEM talent in the state while fueling its advanced manufacturing sector.
“We are deeply invested in our students at Weber and committed to providing them with the best possible opportunities,” said Benjamin Garcia, executive director of the MARS Center. “With the MARS Center strategically located near Hill Air Force Base, we’re proud to offer hands-on experiences that allow students to explore career pathways while actively contributing to the future of aerospace, defense and critical materials.”
Earlier this month, Rep. Blake Moore visited the MARS Center to show his support for the groundbreaking work being done in northern Utah. During his tour of the facility, Moore met with WSU leadership, students and industry partners to see firsthand how MARS is advancing national defense priorities, fueling economic development and creating real-world opportunities for students.
“MARS is helping Utah—and the nation—bridge the gap between laboratory research and real-world deployment,” said Guy Letendre, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at 47G Institute. “It’s a launchpad for innovation, workforce development and long-term economic transformation.”
About the MARS Center
The Miller Advanced Research & Solutions (MARS) Center is Utah’s applied innovation hub for advanced materials and hypersonic technology. Located near Hill Air Force Base and operated by Weber State University, the center integrates students, faculty, industry experts and federal partners to tackle the nation’s toughest engineering challenges. Sponsored by Weber State University, Hill Air Force Base, 47G, the State of Utah, the U.S. Economic Development Administration and the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation, MARS plays a vital role in national defense, regional economic development and workforce advancement.
About 47G
47G is making Utah the nation’s premier ecosystem for aerospace and defense. As the fastest-growing organization of its kind in the country, 47G convenes, promotes, and advocates for companies in Utah that are developing the next generation of aerospace and defense technologies. Want to learn more? Visit our website at 47G.org, follow us on LinkedIn and X, and subscribe to our YouTube Channel.