Today, AUVSI launched the first of three phases of the 2021 Unmanned Systems Defense (USD) Conference. This annual event brings together a wide range of stakeholders with expertise across the defense segment of the unmanned industry, including senior officials at the Department of Defense (DOD), program managers at federal security agencies, and industry executives with deep expertise on these issues. 

With the release of President’s “skinny budget” last week, which named unmanned systems as an area where DOD is proposing significant investments, and the release of the Navy’s Unmanned Campaign Plan (UCP) Framework in March, there is no doubt that maritime stakeholders are faced with pressing issues that will impact the future of this domain. During today’s keynote, fireside, and panel discussions, speakers agreed on two key pillars to integrate autonomous technologies into the U.S. military and defense agencies: 
 

First, DOD must collaborate with industry to develop unmanned capabilities. 

The UCP demonstrates the Navy’s understanding of the value of unmanned systems, outlines its strategic vision to advance these technologies, and identifies opportunities to accelerate investments in air, surface, and subsurface platforms to support a full range of missions.  

As RADM James Pitts, Director, Warfare Integration, N9I, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, stated, “To be a world-class organization, we have to be a learning organization.” Achieving the rapid transition proposed in the UCP from existing human interface systems to an autonomous fleet will require the Department to learn from advancements in the commercial sector. 

Tom Reynolds, Senior Director of Business Development for Unmanned Systems at Huntington Ingalls Industries, highlighted the work of AUVSI’s Maritime Advocacy Committee in providing opportunities for learning and engagement between the Navy and industry. AUVSI will continue to foster discussions that can help DOD identify system capabilities and translate commercial successes to fleet infrastructure. 
 

Second, unmanned systems must be integrated in a way that is sustainable, trusted, and affordable. 

Unmanned systems can minimize risk to warfighters throughout the mission lifecycle – but to leverage these capabilities to the fullest, systems must be sustainable in the long term. Sustainability requires earning the trust of internal and external stakeholders and ensuring systems are affordable within DOD’s budget. 

To build trust within the Navy, personnel must be trained so that they are confident the system will carry out the commander’s intent. To earn external trust, including from the U.S. Congress, the Navy is committed to demonstrating a measured approach that achieves the right balance of manned and unmanned technologies during the rapid evolution of still-nascent technologies. 

As the Navy seeks authorization of funding to execute on UCP plans, industry should consider the affordability of the systems they develop. RDML Casey Moton, Program Executive Office, Unmanned and Small Combatants, explained that the Navy will seek to identify commercial specifications that can be adapted to meet the Department’s requirements. Innovation and development in the commercial sector will fuel competition for integration of unmanned technologies within the Navy at all levels, from large contracts for full systems to smaller purchases of enabling devices. Demonstrating affordability during the early stages UCP execution will enable the Navy to reach its goal of integrating unmanned platforms in its fleet through the coming decade. 

Be sure to register for the air and ground domain days of USD Phase I on April 14th and 15th to learn about the Army’s Project Convergence and overall trends in unmanned systems across DOD.