Valkyrie Partners with Old Dominion University to Launch Digital Engineering and AI Lab

Valkyrie is excited to announce its partnership with Old Dominion University to bring a Valkyrie Digital Engineering and AI Lab to its campus. The Valkyrie Defense Lab will create a collaborative space within ODU's Batten College of Engineering and Technology where students, faculty, and Valkyrie professionals can work together on real-world engineering challenges that support national defense.

"Valkyrie exists to close the gap between emerging technology and operational dominance," said Josh Jackson, CEO of Valkyrie Enterprises. "Our partnership with Old Dominion University accelerates the development and deployment of mission-ready solutions for the defense and national security community. Together, we are building a pipeline where students work directly on real-world defense challenges, applying advanced research, digital engineering, AI-enabled tools, and operational systems that deliver measurable mission impact from day one."

The initiative builds on Valkyrie's longstanding relationship with ODU and supports engineering and multidisciplinary senior design projects, applied research, and workforce development in areas including:

• Digital Engineering

• Artificial Intelligence (AI)

• Machine Learning (ML)

• Modeling and Simulation

• Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) Integration.

"The Valkyrie Defense Lab is more than an academic partnership; it is an innovation engine designed to move capability from concept, to prototype, to fielded operational advantage at speed. This is how we accelerate readiness," CEO Josh Jackson adds.

The lab will be led by Katie Smith, Ph.D., assistant professor in ODU's Department of Engineering Technology, and will provide students with opportunities to collaborate alongside industry professionals on projects that address real operational needs.

“Leading the Valkyrie Defense Lab means I get to give students the same thing this institution gave me: real problems to solve, with real stakes. Artificial intelligence (AI) and simulation are reshaping national defense, and I want our students to work on that now, not after they graduate,” said Dr. Smith, a quadruple alumna of Old Dominion University. “This space puts our students and industry partners in the same room, working on the same problems.”

As part of the partnership, Valkyrie is also providing an enterprise license for JTLS-GO, our modeling and simulation platform. The software will support a specialized certification program for military-affiliated and security-cleared students, giving them hands-on experience with tools used across the defense community. The partnership is designed to:

• Strengthen the defense innovation ecosystem in Hampton Roads and beyond;

• Advance applied research in digital engineering, AI/ML, modeling and simulation, and C5ISR integration;

• Build a workforce pipeline of highly skilled, defense-interested talent;

• Provide students with practical training and certification to accelerate careers in government and defense; and

• Expand adoption and awareness of Valkyrie-owned technologies, including JTLS-GO.

The Valkyrie Defense Lab is expected to begin supporting student projects and programming following its official opening, which is currently anticipated for Fall 2026.