Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is adding a center of excellence dedicated to advanced aeronautics and propulsion system research to its College of Engineering in Daytona Beach, Fla. With a $2 million, three-year budget, the center is Embry-Riddle’s contribution to the Florida Center for Advanced Aero-Propulsion (FCAAP) project. The state of Florida has granted $14.5 million over three years to fund a consortium that consists of Embry-Riddle, the University of Florida, the University of Central Florida and FCAAP lead institution Florida State University. The FCAAP members will try to develop innovative next-generation technologies for aerospace and aviation propulsion, including space transport. Embry-Riddle will focus on research involving hypersonics, fuel-efficient propulsion systems and using computational fluid dynamics to design better engine models. “Any of those could be applied to developing systems that are not only more efficient and effective in their operations but require less maintenance,” said Christina Frederick-Recascino, vice president for research at Embry-Riddle.