This week AUVSI hosted Unmanned Systems Defense (USD), the association’s signature annual event connecting industry leaders with Department of Defense (DoD) officials to advance the front line of innovation. 

As the Pentagon moves resources to address a new era of strategic competition, unmanned systems – in the air and space, at sea, and on land – will be the tip of the sword for U.S. competitiveness. USD bring together stakeholders throughout the defense segment of the unmanned systems industry to ensure investments and R&D efforts are aligned with the needs of end-users downrange. 
 

Day One: Maritime 

USD attendees received the first public briefing the Navy’s Unmanned Task Force, presented by Michael Stewart, Deputy Director Integrated Warfare (N9IB). The Task Force aims to make the Navy’s strategic vision of accelerating autonomy a reality by supporting asset prototyping, scaling, and testing with the fleet.  

The establishment of the Task Force follows the release of the Navy’s Unmanned Campaign Plan in March, which identifies opportunities for the Navy to accelerate investments in air, surface, and subsurface platforms. With all efforts combined, there is no doubt that the Navy understands the value in integrating unmanned systems across domains to support a full range of missions.  

Stewart emphasized that, “This is not unmanned theater.” The Task Force will focus on operational problems faced by warfighters while discovering what unmanned systems are truly capable of in the process. 

However, budget reductions and programs delays in the FY2022 funding authorization and appropriations legislation could threaten the progress of the Navy’s vision at a critical moment. AUVSI is urging the U.S. House and Senate Committees on Armed Services and Appropriations to support funding for the Navy’s unmanned systems R&D initiatives. 

As AUVSI recently warned Congressional leaders: “Industry has made the investment in the technology, supply base, workforce and infrastructure based on the Navy UMS vision,” but, “continued delays will force the industrial base to move their investments away from unmanned systems to other more predictable markets.” 

AUVSI’s Maritime Advocacy Committee is helping the Navy reimagine how to engage in acquisition of unmanned systems, from inception to delivery to the warfighter downrange. The MAC works to facilitate the growth of unmanned maritime systems through active engagement with the government and with the defense and commercial sectors. Read more about how your organization can get involved with the MAC. 
 

Day Two: Air 

During keynote remarks, Major General Heather Pringle, Commander, Air Force Research Laboratory shared updates on AFRL’s work with industry and how it is guided by the values of interoperability and collaboration. 

AFRL is supporting the evolution of the force from its current operations, which are largely one operator to one system (manned or remotely piloted), to a future relationship of one operator to many systems by incorporating autonomous technologies.  

The lab approaches engineering through a process of optimize – iterate – build – integrate – test. As Pringle discussed, each step is important in building warfighters’ trust in autonomous systems. The autonomous relationship strengthens throughout the series of experimentations, war games, and efforts in the field.  

As systems age, DoD has an opportunity to retool capabilities for the future. Pringle called on industry to get involved: “I hope you're as excited about the possibilities for UAS as we are at AFRL… because we know that we're not going to reach the future without you." AFRL seeks to partner with the private sector to make building autonomous and unmanned systems more affordable, scalable, and agile.  
 

Day Three: Ground 

Dr. Timothy Chung, Program Manager, Tactical Technology Office, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), gave attendees a look at the Subterranean (SubT) Challenge and other programs that are accelerating the discovery of advanced capabilities in robotics and autonomy. 

Echoing remarks made during Maritime and Air days, DARPA also seeks to combine individual efforts in the science and tech pipeline to support multidisciplinary advancements. Actionable situational awareness” is critical in complex underground environments – and only through autonomy can the needed resiliency, speed, and scalability be achieved. 

Aside from clear defense applications, technologies developed through the SubT Challenge and other research can have immediate and near-term impacts that improve safety in the commercial sector, including infrastructure inspection, and construction site management. 
 

What’s Next for USD 

Recordings from all three phases of USD 2021 are now available on-demand – register at thedefenseshow.org for access. 

As AUVSI looks ahead to 2022, Unmanned Systems Defense plans to return live and in-person in the Washington, D.C. area. Stay tuned for more information on timing and registration in the coming months or learn how your organization can get involved by contacting engage@auvsi.org.