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Mission & Vision

The future holds expanding opportunities for military and civilian applications of unmanned systems. We, the DC Capital Chapter of the Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, believe our first responsibility is to constantly strive to provide the credible advocacy and support for the potential that unmanned systems can provide for the military and commercial sector as well as our nation.

We are committed to the following principles:

*We will provide forward looking leadership that will focus on challenges and issues in the nation’s Capital that face the unmanned systems community.
*We will endeavor to support our member's goals and provide recognition for outstanding leadership and achievement in the field of unmanned systems.
*We will provide opportunities to educate the public, including potential government and commercial users on the value of unmanned vehicle systems capability to our nation's future.
*We will conduct our business relationships with industry, government and the unmanned vehicle community with a high level of ethics and professionalism and maintain an unquestioned reputation for integrity, credibility and respect as advocates of unmanned systems.
*We will promote and be advocates for innovative approaches that will provide visionary roadmaps for unmanned systems and provide opportunities for integrated military and/or commercial requirements.
*We will provide an effective interface with the customers and stakeholders that comprise the unmanned vehicle community."

Chapter News

Aurora’s UH-1H receives FAA Special Airworthiness Certification. Photo courtesy of Aurora Flight Sciences.

Technology

Aurora's Optionally-Piloted UH-1H receives Special Airworthiness Certificate from FAA

The FAA has granted a Special Airworthiness Certificate to Aurora Flight Sciences’ UH-1H helicopter, which is the company’s newest optionally-piloted aircraft, and the third manned aircraft overall that Aurora has converted to robotic-controlled or OPA operation.

As the latest development in the Office of Naval Research’s (ONR) Autonomous Aerial Cargo/Utility System (AACUS) program, Aurora has created the “Autonomy-enabled UH-1,” also known as AEH-1, by adding a complete digital flight control system.

Business Solutions

Drone pilot program to help state, local governments weigh in on UAS integration

On Oct. 25, President Trump directed U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao to launch the Innovative Drone Integration Pilot Program, an initiative which will “safely test and validate advanced operations” for UAS in partnership with state and local governments in select jurisdictions.

The move is seen as a way to give state and local governments some say in regulating UAS use, while not pre-empting the authority of the Federal Aviation Administration to oversee the nation’s airspace.

Transportable Interoperable Ground Robot (TIGR), photo courtesy of Business Wire.

Technology

Roboteam unveils Transportable Interoperable Ground Robot during AUSA 2017

During AUSA 2017 in Washington, D.C., Roboteam, Inc., which provides tactical ground robotic systems and controllers for defense, law enforcement and public safety missions, unveiled its Transportable Interoperable Ground Robot (TIGR).

Described by Roboteam as the “most advanced, groundbreaking robotic platform ever made available to the modern warfighter,” the TIGR is a two-man carried UGV with a modular design. The modular design allows for add-ons, sensors and future technology integration.

Highly mobile and capable of operating in any terrain, the all-weather UGV is capable of a number of different functionalities that are unachievable for other mid-sized robotic platforms in the “theater of war,” according to Roboteam.

AUVSI News

Technology

Aerospace Cornwall and UAVAid to launch first UAS flight from Cornwall Airport Newquay in May 2019

Aerospace Cornwall has partnered with UK based UAS developer and operator UAVAid to launch the first UAS flight from Cornwall Airport Newquay in England during a capability event in May 2019.

During the event, UAVAid will showcase Hansard, its humanitarian UAS platform. The UAS is designed to not only “fundamentally improve the way aid agencies can respond to large scale disasters,” but also “boost healthcare and economic development in the developing world.”

During the Red Bull Air Race in Wiener Neustadt, Austria, Schiebel’s Camcopter S-100 conducted a flight display. Photo: Schiebel

Technology

Schiebel's Camcopter S-100 UAS conducts flight display during Red Bull Air Race

During the Red Bull Air Race in Wiener Neustadt, Austria, Schiebel’s Camcopter S-100 UAS conducted a flight display.

Returning to its Austrian roots for the sixth race of the season, the Red Bull Air Race partnered with Schiebel in Wiener Neustadt, which is where the Camcopter S-100 production facility is located.

RE2 Robotics has received a $2.5 million contract from the Office of Naval Research to continue developing and commercializing its Dexterous Maritime Manipulation System (DM2S). Photo: RE2 Robotics

Technology

RE2 Robotics receives $2.5 million contract to continue developing its Dexterous Maritime Manipulation System

RE2 Robotics, which develops humanlike robotic manipulator arms, has received a $2.5 million contract from the Office of Naval Research to continue developing and commercializing its Dexterous Maritime Manipulation System (DM2S).

Equipped with RE2’s DM2S technology, Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) personnel will be able to “remotely and effectively” address Waterborne Improvised Explosive Devices (WBIEDs).

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Why join AUVSI

AUVSI is the world’s largest organization devoted exclusively to advancing the unmanned systems and robotics industries. We provide our members with a unified voice in advocacy for policies and regulations that encourage growth and innovation; we provide education to the public and media on the safe and beneficial uses of unmanned systems; and we enable market growth by providing our members with custom resources to realize their full potential within the industry.