Chopra, Inderjit
Distinguished University Professor
Clark Distinguished Chair
Former Director, Alfred Gessow Rotorcraft Center
Clark Distinguished Chair
Former Director, Alfred Gessow Rotorcraft Center
Aerospace Engineering
Maryland Energy Innovation Institute
Alfred Gessow Rotorcraft Center
Maryland Energy Innovation Institute
Alfred Gessow Rotorcraft Center
3168 Glenn L. Martin Hall
EDUCATION
- B. Sc. Eng. Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh (Aeronautical Engineering), 1965
- M.E., Indian Institute of Science (Aeronautical Engineering), 1968
- Sc.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Aeronautics & Astronautics), 1977
HONORS AND AWARDS
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As a Faculty advisor, won the First Place in the 40th Annual VFS/Sikorsky Student Design Competition, August 2023.
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Best paper Award: 79th Annual VFS Forum; Dynamics Group, “Wind Tunnel Testing and Aeromechanics Predictions on Slowed Mach-scaled Thrust Compounding Rotorcraft with a Trailing Propeller,” Kaplan, N., Patil, M., Chopra, I. and Datta, A.
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Member National Academy of Engineering: Elected “for advancing rotorcraft aeromechanics/aeroelastic analysis, enhancing bearingless rotors, active control, and human-powered helicopters.”
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2023 AIAA Walter J. and Angeline H. Crichlow Trust Prize: For seminal contributions to rotorcraft fundamental research and education; milestone design projects (human-powered, DaVinci-Aerial-Screw, Mars helicopters), and distinguished service to federal agencies, industry, and professional societies.
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As a Faculty advisor, won the First Place in the Undergrad and Second Place in Grad Category in the 39th Annual VFS/Bell Student Design Competition, August 2022.
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2013 Wang Shicun Award: Received the first-time instituted award at the 2nd Asian/Australian Rotorcraft Forum and the 4th International Basic Research Conference on Rotorcraft Technology at Tianjin, China “for outstanding work in education, research and development of rotorcraft technology.”
- 2009 AHS Alexander A. Klemin Award
- 2008 Centenary Distinguished Alumni Award: Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore
- Best Paper Award: “Prediction of UH-60A Dynamic Stall Loads--" Datta, I. and Chopra, AHS Forum 2005 Research
- AHS Student Design Competition: First Place, Faculty Advisor Education
- Invited Keynote Speaker: 2005 SPIE Fareast International Conference in Smart Structures, July 2005 Research
- Keynote Speaker: Indo-US Workshop on Micro Air Vehicle, Bangalore, India, August 2005 Research
- Distinguished Speaker: Ist US-European Micro-Aerial Vehicle Technology, Garmisch, Germany, Sept 05
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Institutional Services
- Minta-Martin Chair Professor Selection Committee ENGR-A. James Clark School of Engineering
- Member Engineering Council ENGR-A. James Clark School of Engineering
- Director Alfred Gessow Rotorcraft Center ENGR-Aerospace Engineering
- Member Department Chair Selection Committee ENGR-Aerospace Engineering
- Chair Faculty Search Committee ENGR-Aerospace Engineering
- Faculty Advisor Sigma Gamma Tau ENGR-Aerospace Engineering
- Member Research Council UMCP - Graduate School
- Member Graduate Council UMCP - Graduate School
Basak Wins VFS Award for Autonomy Research
Pioneering study utilizes a vision algorithm to help drones land on ships in rough conditions.Nine UMD Students Receive Vertical Flight Foundation Scholarships
Awards recognize exceptional students pursuing careers and research in vertical flight.UMD Students Sweep 2025 VFS Student Design Competition
The 2025 competition challenged students to build a hydrogen-powered VTOL aircraft.Seven UMD Students Receive 2025 Vertical Flight Foundation Scholarships
Awards recognize the world’s most talented engineering students pursuing careers in vertical flight.UROC Interns Explore Counter UAS, VTOL
A unique internship program provides opportunities to help advance the field.Ph.D. Student Receives Best Paper Award at VFS 80th Annual Forum
Vivek Uppoor recognized by Dynamics Committee for his paper “Aeromechanics Investigation of a Dual-Wing Lift Compounded Slowed Mach Scale Rotor.”Alum Named Distinguished Professor of Aerospace Engineering at PennState
Title recognizes outstanding academic contributions to the university.Baeder Named Igor Sikorsky Distinguished Professor in Rotorcraft
The professorship supports enhanced research specialization in areas related to rotorcraft.Jeanette Epps: From Engineer to Astronaut
UMD alum is set to fly to the ISS in the coming weeks.Six Clark School Faculty Receive 2024 DURIP Awards
DURIP awards support university research in technical areas of interest to the Department of Defense.UMD Team Lands First Place in VFS Competition
Students’ entry achieves breakthroughs in speed, versatility.Clark School Names Zhao, Chopra as Clark Distinguished Chairs
The A. James Clark School of Engineering at the University of Maryland named Ji-Cheng "JC" Zhao and Inderjit Chopra as Clark Distinguished Chairs.Seven UMD Students Receive Vertical Flight Foundation Scholarships
UMD students represent a third of total 2023 VFF Scholarship recipients.Three UMD Faculty Elected to National Academy of Engineering
Three University of Maryland professors are among the 124 engineers newly elected to the 2023 Class of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE).UMD’s Chopra: A Driving Force in Rotorcraft Engineering
AIAA honors longtime professor for seminal schievements.Chopra to Receive Prestigious AIAA Walter J. and Angeline H. Crichlow Trust Prize
Awarded only every four years, prize recognizes excellence in aerospace materials, structural design, structural analysis, or structural dynamics.NAWCAD-UMD Seed Grant Review and Discussion strengthens collaboration commitment
The event emphasized research, advanced education, and outreach collaborations for the region, the state of Maryland and the nation.UMD Undergraduate Team Wins VFS Competition
UMD’s undergraduate team took first place at the annual Vertical Flight Society Competition.Flatau Named UMD AE Chair
Alison Flatau has been named the new chair of aerospace engineering at UMD.Celebrating Women in Aerospace Engineering: Elizabeth Ward
As an undergraduate, Ward was fascinated by the V22-Osprey aircraft—in her words, “the coolest piece of engineering I have ever seen.” Today she works for the V-22 program.Celebrating Black Aerospace Engineers: David Mayo (Ph.D. ‘14)
As a U.S. Marine, Mayo saw technology with astonishing capabilities. He wanted to learn more.A New Spin on a Classic da Vinci Design
UMD students build working prototype inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s aerial screw.Extending Quadcopter Flight Time—By Adding Wings
UMD grad student’s VTOL/biplane combo draws interest.UMD Teams Sweep 2021 VFS Student Design Competition
Aerospace engineering students take top spots in both graduate and undergraduate categories.Six UMD Students Win VFS Vertical Flight Foundation Scholarships
Vertical Flight Foundation Scholarships recognize the world’s most talented engineering students interested in vertical flight.Brandyn Phillips Wins 2020/2021 Aerospace Corporation Fellowship
Annual fellowship recognizes outstanding students who are veterans or children of veterans.Making Success, and Giving, Seem Natural
More than 20 years after finishing his Ph.D. in aerospace engineering at Maryland, Chris Jones is still giving back.Modernizing da Vinci’s Designs
UMD teams take top spots in 2020 VFS design competition to re-imagine Leonardo da Vinci’s aerialscrew.