Unmanned Systems

UNMANNED SYSTEMS IN THE NRV

Industry leaders, researchers, and partners have collaborated to make the Virginia’s New River Valley one of the strongest regions in the U.S. for the Unmanned Systems sector. The NRV is “A Natural Fit” for the growing UAS industry.

INDUSTRY STATS

2 FAA-DESIGNATED
UAS TEST SITES

2.8 MILES OF VTTI
SMART ROAD TEST TRACK

85′ HIGH NETTED
DRONE PARK FACILITY

PRIMARY SUB-SECTORS

COMPONENT MANUFACTURING

SOFTWARE & CYBERSECURITY

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

UNMANNED VEHICLE SYSTEMS ASSEMBLY

BUSINESS ADVANTAGES

Business Community

The business community in the NRV is very collaborative. Companies like Techsburg, VPT, Maxtena, Optical Cable Corp, and Moog are making this area a hotspot for the UAS industry. Area companies have formed the Ridge and Valley chapter of the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), the world’s largest organization devoted exclusively to advancing the unmanned systems and robotics industries. The area is also served by the Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council (RBTC), which is a catalyst for innovation, networking, and leadership in the NRV and surrounding regions.

VTTI Cadillac SRXes on SR Bridge AD 080520

R&D Facilities

The Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership, which is based at the VT Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science, is one of seven organizations in the entire U.S. that can establish FAA test sites for unmanned aerial systems. MAAP worked with NASA on Project Wing to research how multiple aircrafts could safely share the same airspace. The region also has a 85′ high drone cage on the VT campus for UAS testing. The NRV is home to 2 FAA test sites: one at Kentland Farms, and one at the Virginia Smart Roads, where companies can safely test their products. The Smart Road is a 2.8 mile test track (above) with weather-making capabilities and extensive research opportunities and is used by companies such as GM and Google.

Workforce

The history of manufacturing and information technology in the NRV creates a workforce full of innovative problem-solvers with various levels of experience. New River Community College offers Engineering Design Technology and Architectural & Engineering Design Specialization in which students work on Unmanned Ground and Aerial Vehicle projects. Virginia Tech has the #9 best public college of engineering in the U.S. and produces graduates who are skilled and ready to enter the workforce at a high level. Some of the engineering programs include Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical & Computer Engineering, and Aerospace Engineering.

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Unmanned Systems Accolade 1

Unmanned Systems Accolade 2

Unmanned Systems Accolade 3

MAJOR EMPLOYERS

UNMANNED SYSTEMS CULTURE IN THE NRV

Robotics Clubs

There are several robotics clubs in the NRV, including the Tuxedo Pandas, a club for students from 7th to 10th grade. They build robots and promote STEM throughout the NRV while participating in the global robotics program For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) Tech Challenge. The pandas even went to China for the World Robotics Conference, which consists of a forum, exhibition, and robot competition.

Aerial Research

The drone cage on the Virginia Tech campus is a $1.2 million 300’ x 120’ unmanned aerial vehicle netted facility that is 85′ high. It is a part of a $75 million plan to emphasize intelligent infrastructure. Plus, Virginia Tech’s Kentland Farm has several FAA Certificates of Operation. The primary purpose is to enable experimental research involving small flight vehicles. VTTI also has about 400 acres of aerial space for UAV testing.

Vehicle Research

VTTI operates the Virginia Smart Roads, a unique, state-of-the-art, closed test-bed research facility, which is an FAA approved testing site. It has weather-making capabilities, one of the tallest bridges in Virginia, and allows testing for real vehicles in realistic settings. The Smart Road was established in 2000 and has hosted 28,000 hours of research. Expansions for testing include a customizable urban track and a rural road.

I love the business culture of the New River Valley. It’s one of the greatest things about being located here. The people are real and the community is very supportive. There isn’t the competitiveness that is present in other communities and we work together a lot more.”

Nanci Hardwick, Aeroprobe & MELD CEO

FEATURED SITES & BUILDINGS

UNIVERSITY RESEARCH & EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Radford University

The Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning (CITL) at Radford University began a drone research program in Spring 2018. Large and small models are being used for simulations, photography, flight protocol development, and battery life extension. One of the program’s ultimate goals is to work with classes on Radford’s campus that are interested in drone technology.

New River Community College

New River Community College (NRCC) programs can be used to build a career, continue an education, or certify a hobbyist. Students in two-year programs are set up with internships so they’re able to enter the workforce immediately after graduation with jobs as civil engineers, design technicians, CAD technicians, and additive manufacturers. NRCC students work on programs that prepare them for both unmanned aerial and ground vehicle projects. They also get hands-on experience with additive manufacturing using 3D printers, laser liquid polymers, selective laser centering, and 3D scanning.

The Engineering Design Program at NRCC has been recognized by the American Drafting and Design Association (ADDA) as one of the top programs in the country.

Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) is the second largest university-level transportation institute in the U.S. With more than $45 million in annual sponsored R&D expenditures, VTTI is the #1 research facility for both federal and private contracts. It houses 15 research centers and 3 that are nationally known such as the Safety Through Disruption National University Transportation Center.

Virginia Tech research related to UAS is extensive and spans a number of departments and programs. Research areas include guidance and control; sensing and navigation; mobility and actuation; modeling, analysis and design; safety and cybersecurity; power electronics; wireless communication; human/computer interaction; discovery analytics; sociotechnical systems; and transportation.