Following the principle of “based on national defense, aiming at the market, serving society”, BUAA has given full play to the comprehensive advantage of many disciplines working together, making itself one of the most important centers of innovation. In the 50 years since its foundation, the university has had more than 40 projects that were ranked first in the country and has received more than 900 awards for achievements at ministerial level or above, which have made BUAA one of the top-ranked universities in the field of high technology. In addition, the university has filled scientific and technological gaps nationwide by making and launching spacecrafts of different models, such as, “Beijing -1” , the first light aircraft in China; “Beijing -2” , the first sounding rocket in Asia; “Beijing -5” , the first unmanned airplane in China; “BEE” series; co-axial counter-rotating helicopter. BUAA has also invented a flight simulator in the field of automation, a silicon compiler in the field of computer science, a PC Disk （ Phase Change Disk ） in the field of new material and information storage, a Robot of multi-degree freedom in the field of artificial intelligence and assisted in the successful launch of the “Shenzhou” rockets. BUAA has made many significant contributions to the development of the national economy as well as break-throughs in achieving some key techniques in military equipment. As a result of its achievements and contributions, the university has received many plaudits.

The university has worked hard to gain partners in research through technological development, transfer of research findings, manufacture of products and education of personnel. It has also spared no effort to promote collaboration in production, learning and scientific research, and to expand the application of its scientific research by strengthening the cooperation between the government and university, undertaking large-scale construction programs, and building joint R&D centers and laboratories with enterprises. Now the university has established 6 major State Labs, namely “the Lab of Aeronautical Engine Pneumatic Power”, “the State Lab of Calculating Fluid Mechanics”, “the Lab of Software Development Environment” and “the National Base of Mechanics”, and 12 major Labs at provincial levels. For years, the funding for scientific research at BUAA has been increasing at an annual rate of over 20%, which ranks among the best in all the universities in China in terms of its achievements, funding and academic standing.