Oklahoma City – Oklahoma State University’s Oklahoma Institute for Aerospace Research and Education has launched the Center of Excellence for Counter-UAV Systems and a new partnership aimed at countering malicious drones by developing Systematic countermeasures to strengthen national defense.
The agreement solidifies OSU’s position as the preferred aerospace defense provider for the U.S. Army Base at Fort Sill. The agreement includes a $15 million indefinite delivery, unlimited subcontract from Amentum to help the U.S. Department of Homeland Security develop technology to combat drones and other UAS threats. Amentum is executing the contract under the DoD Information Analysis Center’s Multi-Award Contract Facility.
“By working together, we are developing a national standard for counter-drone systems. The possibilities for the aerospace future of Oklahoma, Oklahoma, and the United States are far-reaching, all built on a number of based on a decade of experience,” said Oklahoma State University President Keith Shroom. “This center will transform what’s possible in national security. As we merge the civilian and military worlds into one partnership that will exponentially improve both parties’ missions, it will advance research and strengthen Oklahoma’s economy.”
As part of OAIRE, the center is an important part of OSU’s aviation infrastructure stretching from Oklahoma to Oklahoma. Shroom said.
“We are working with industry and federal agencies to coordinate and evaluate technologies to ensure the United States remains a leader in drone and counter-drone technology for the foreseeable future,” she said.
The partnership announcement was made Friday at a launch event celebrating the opening of the national CUAS COE at Oregon State University’s Hamm American Energy Institute in Oklahoma City’s innovation district.
The new center was established in partnership with the Department of Defense through the National Defense Authorization Act. The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command contracts with OSU to allocate $6.5 million to activate the CUAS COE in FY2021 and FY22, with an additional $5 million pending in FY23.
As the Counter-UAV Division of OSU’s Unmanned Systems Institute, this new center brings together resources and research to place Oklahoma at the forefront of this important area of expertise responsible for protecting the nation from the weaponization of drones. influences.
“As a soldier from the USRI team at OSU – from OSU’s Center of Excellence for Counter-UAV Systems – what I’ve seen is very encouraging, seeing open dialogue, communication, ideas and bright minds Brings a lot of effort to address these issues,” Col said. Todd Daniels, assistant commander of the Fort Sill Air Defense Artillery School.
The agreement, which goes into effect in September 2022, will provide up to $15 million in funding for a range of projects at the center over the next 4.5 years.
These projects will involve developing, evaluating and improving technologies for the Department of Homeland Security to identify, track and mitigate threats posed by drones to infrastructure and other sites critical to homeland security.
They will also involve training current and potential DHS professionals to understand and deploy counter-drone technologies and techniques.
At the event, Dr. Jamey Jacob, current USRI Director, was named Director of OAIRE.
“With $44 billion in annual economic activity, Oklahoma’s aerospace industry is the second largest industry in the state after energy,” Jacobs said. “With the emergence of a new advanced air mobility industry, Oklahoma has the opportunity to leverage its expertise in aerospace and autonomous systems to lead the newest and fastest-growing aviation sector and ensure global generation throughout the 21st century. influences.”
Another mission of the center is to improve the facility so that CUAS COE and U.S. Army partners can quickly and easily operate UAS systems for research, testing and training.
“Drones have the potential to transform every area of the U.S. economy, including agriculture, law enforcement, public safety, disaster assessment and response, fire detection, border security, weather forecasting, building and utility monitoring,” the U.S. Representative said. Frank Lucas said. “It’s exciting that OSU is leading the way in aerospace R&D as this technology develops. The Unmanned Systems Institute is a true powerhouse in UAS and counter-UAS technology.”
The center also plans to host an annual Anti-UAS Symposium, bringing together representatives from the government to discuss new threats, technologies and best practices, and to connect with private industry to meet the government’s CUAS needs.
In addition to its counter-drone systems efforts, USRI is involved in multiple aspects of unmanned systems research and development, including: drone development; use of drones to maintain human health and safety; advanced air mobility; NASA autonomous operations applications; and development New drone applications.