James Goppert

James Goppert is a Research Professor in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics at Purdue University and Managing Director of the Purdue UAS Research and Test Facility (PURT). His role involves advancing research in unmanned aerial systems (UAS), focusing on navigation, autonomy, and cybersecurity. Dr. Goppert holds a Ph.D., M.S., and B.S. in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Purdue University, all completed in 2018, 2011, and 2007 respectively.

His research interests span cybersecurity for drones, sensor fusion, autonomous control systems, and formal verification of safety-critical systems. PURT, under his leadership, is a global leader in UAS testing with advanced motion capture capabilities. Recent publications emphasize robust state estimation, cyberattack mitigation, and safe autonomous navigation frameworks.

Dr. Goppert’s work integrates theoretical models with practical implementations, including open-source tools like ArduPilot extensions and GNSS signal emulation plugins. His contributions address vulnerabilities in UAS communication protocols and promote rigorous safety assurance in autonomous systems.