UAV air demonstration set for June

Date: 18 May 2005

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The third demonstration of unmanned aerial vehicles to be held alongside the US AUVSI event is shaping up to be the largest yet. The flying demonstrations and static displays will be held on Monday 27 June 2005 at the Webster Field Annex of Naval Air Station, Patuxent River, Md.

The theme is Focusing Unmanned Technology on the Global War on Terror. The day-long demonstration highlights unmanned technology and capabilities from the military and industry. It offers a unique opportunity to display and demonstrate full-scale systems and hardware. A large, stadium-style, outdoor video screen will allow the attendees to see the same imagery as the UAV operators, while the various vehicles are being demonstrated.

Confirmed speakers include ADM John Nathman, Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command; VADM Walter Massenburg, Commander, Naval Air Systems Command; RADM Patrick Stillman, USCG, PEO for Integrated Deepwater System Acquisition; and Thomas Kuster, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Force Plans and Employment for the Office of Homeland Defense.

When asked for comment, VADM Massenburg said, “unmanned aerial vehicles and systems will add a vital component to our asymmetric warfare capabilities, providing access, reach, and persistence while improving our interoperability with coalition forces, allies and the Joint services. Used for a variety of missions, these sophisticated vehicles will heighten our current and future readiness while offering unique advantages to the warfighters, helping them operate more efficiently and effectively, and win the Global War on Terror.”

To date, expressions of interest have come from nearly thirty domestic and foreign unmanned systems manufacturers including: AeroVironment, BAI, DRS, EFW, Innocon, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, SAIC, Bell Helicopter, Lockheed Martin, Proxy Aviation and Teledyne Brown.

The event is sponsored by the US Program Executive Office for Strike Weapons and Unmanned Aviation, in conjunction with the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, as a kick off to AUVSI’s annual conference, Unmanned Systems 2005 to be held at the Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, Maryland (USA) on 28-30 June 2005.

For information about how to participate, call Doug Thorp at 301.757.5839, or visit the demo website at http://uav.navair.navy.mil or visit the PEO website at www.strikenet.js.mil, and click on PMA-263.