AUVSI — Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International

AUVSI — Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International has been working full throttle on moving the BVLOS rule forward, engaging daily with the White House, Congress, DOT, FAA, etc. We are making progress, and after the disappointment of not getting the draft rule out as planned last year and then being subject to the broader regulatory freeze, we are increasingly confident that forward movement is coming soon. The rule is necessary to address a growing disconnect between industry demand and an outdated regulatory processes – one that is slowing innovation, costing businesses time and money, and straining government resources. Our amazing AUVSI Business Intelligence team pulled together some compelling data showcasing this challenge, which David Ambrozic & I pulled into an a piece today in Inside Unmanned Systems. David's analysis of FAA waiver approvals shows that a system meant to be temporary has become an unsustainable bottleneck for the industry. In 2024, the FAA approved 809 Part 107 waivers, a staggering?256% increase?over the previous year. Of those, 203 waivers, or 25%, were for BVLOS operations. While this surge in waivers reflects growing demand and an improved estimated approval rate (good job, FAA!), it also underscores a fundamental issue: waivers were never meant to be a long-term solution. We need the BVLOS rule. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/e_Yb4A_v Max Rosen Scott Shtofman Anna Dietrich Casie Oca?a Adriana Rivera, MA Mason Sisk Grant B. David Klein

Magnetometers play a critical role in uncrewed navigation—but are you getting the most accurate data? Learn how to optimize performance by tackling calibration challenges, reducing interference, and accounting for environmental factors. ? Don’t miss out! Join Maxwell Goodman and Timothy A Worley Jr. from Applied Physics Systems tomorrow, March 19, for expert insights on optimizing magnetometer performance for reliable and precise navigation in uncrewed systems. ? Secure your spot and enhance your understanding of high-accuracy magnetometers! ? Register now: https://lnkd.in/gRRhMrTz

AUVSI congratulates Bryan Bedford on his nomination as FAA Administrator. With decades of aviation leadership, his experience will be key in strengthening safety, modernizing regulations, and advancing innovation across the industry. As aviation technology evolves, strong leadership at the FAA is essential to ensuring the U.S. remains at the forefront of global aviation. We urge the Senate to move swiftly on his confirmation so the Federal Aviation Administration can continue tackling critical priorities, from certification reform to uncrewed systems and advanced air mobility. Read our full statement here: https://lnkd.in/eqipKr-s #FAA #FAAAdministrator #AviationLeadership #AviationSafety #RegulatoryInnovation Chris Rocheleau Sean Duffy

Magnetometers are essential for uncrewed navigation, but achieving high accuracy requires careful calibration, interference reduction, and an understanding of environmental and operational factors. ? ??? Join Maxwell Goodman and Timothy Worley from Applied Physics Systems on March 19 for expert insights on optimizing magnetometer performance for reliable and precise navigation in uncrewed systems. ? Register now: https://lnkd.in/gRRhMrTz

Drones are revolutionizing industries, but gaps in detection, mitigation, and airspace awareness leave the U.S. vulnerable to unauthorized activity. Low Remote ID compliance, outdated infrastructure, and stalled legislation limit response capabilities, with only four federal agencies authorized to act—leaving local law enforcement and critical infrastructure operators without the tools they need. ? Congress can expand mitigation authorities, the FAA can modernize oversight, and investments in low-altitude tracking can close security gaps. Without action, risks will only grow. ? AUVSI President & CEO Michael Robbins breaks it all down in his latest Assuring Autonomy blog—what’s wrong, what’s needed, and how we fix it. Read the full blog here: https://lnkd.in/epQRdxTq #DroneSecurity #CUAS #AirspaceAwareness #UAS

AWSAC 2025 Wrap-Up – Driving Transparency, Collaboration & Action Day 3 at AWSAC brought a strong close to an impactful U.S. Army + industry event, with sessions designed to foster open discourse, promote transparency, and support professional development across both government and industry to drive Foreign Military Sales. Government attendees participated in Skill Accelerator Breakouts designed to unlock their full potential in contributing to modernization and reform efforts. These sessions focused on equipping personnel with the tools and strategies needed to drive meaningful change. ? Industry attendees engaged in the AUVSI — Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International Defense Advocacy Committee (DAC) meeting, featuring guest speakers Dr. Craig Sawyer, D. Eng, USN, Chairman, NATO Joint Capability Group Maritime Unmanned Systems (JCGMUS), NATO & Stuart Hatfield, Division Chief, Human-Machine Integration Division, U.S. Army G8. This session provided a vital platform for industry leaders to align their efforts with Army & NATO priorities. ? Across the board, today’s discussions reinforced a shared commitment to modernization, efficiency, and stronger collaboration between government and industry.? ? The momentum doesn’t stop here—let’s take these conversations forward and turn them into action.? ? Thank you to all who joined us for #AWSAC2025.

???Just Announced: DoD mandates Software Acquisition Pathway Why it matters:?The Department of Defense has directed that the Software Acquisition Pathway be used for all DoD software capability, cutting red tape and ensuring warfighters receive cutting-edge technology faster. What we're saying: "AUVSI commends Secretary Hegseth for mandating the Software Acquisition Pathway across DoD. We have long advocated for DoD to source software from leading software firms, utilizing rapid acquisition tools like CSOs and OTAs. This ensures our warfighters receive the best technology faster than our adversaries can adapt—key to ensuring deterrence, readiness, and lethality." — Michael Robbins, President & CEO, AUVSI AUVSI looks forward to supporting the implementation of this policy and advancing defense innovation.

Day 2 of #AWSAC2025 – A Powerful Reality Check on FMS ? Today’s discussions hit hard. A standout panel delivered a blunt truth: our Foreign Military Sales (FMS) partners are frustrated—not because they don’t value U.S. capabilities, but because they need them now. While the U.S. delivers solutions on years-long timelines, our allies are facing immediate threats. ?? "Their houses are on fire, and we’re telling them the hose will arrive in a year." Beyond this session, over 20+ different star-level acquisition senior leaders? were in the room today, engaging in broader conversations about accelerating procurement, streamlining FMS, and ensuring the U.S. remains a trusted defense partner. The message across all discussions was clear: We must move faster. One last day at #AWSAC2025. Let’s turn discussions into action. See you tomorrow! #ForeignMilitarySales #NationalSecurity #DefenseInnovation #AUVSI #SecurityAssistance #AcquisitionLeadership ----? Moderated by Dave Lamm (Deputy Director, Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies, DoD), the panel brought deep, real-world insights from:? ?? BG Allen Pepper – Commanding General, U.S. Army Security Assistance Command? ?? BG Mason Dula – Deputy Dir. Strategy, Plans & Policy, USCENTCOM, J-5

AWSAC 2025 Sets the Stage for the Future of Army Security Assistance & FMS? Day one of AWSAC sparked critical discussions on Army Security Assistance & Foreign Military Sales (FMS), with a key highlight being the Congressional Perspective | Achieving Alignment panel. Industry and congressional leaders came together to tackle the challenge of aligning defense requirements with industry capabilities to strengthen U.S. security cooperation. Key Takeaways:? ? Scaling up production & industrial contracts is crucial to driving down unit costs and signaling demand.? ? 50% of the DoD budget goes to RDT&E, yet transitioning from development to procurement remains a hurdle.? ? To maintain a competitive edge, DoD must streamline acquisition and accelerate procurement timelines—"We need to move forward." Stay tuned for more insights from #AWSAC2025 as we drive impactful conversations on the future of defense innovation and global security partnerships. ?? Still time to register! Don't miss out on the discussions shaping the future of Army security assistance. Secure your spot now: ?? https://lnkd.in/dGcEzKAm #DefenseInnovation #ForeignMilitarySales #ArmySecurityAssistance #CongressionalAlignment Kathryn Hutchinson Brandon Gaskew Nate Guajardo Adriana Rivera, MA Caroline Kehrli James P. Hart

Today’s security landscape demands smarter, faster, and more autonomous solutions. Join us today, March 5 from 3:00-4:00 PM ET as Titan Protection and Consulting, Inc. provides insights into remote piloting and autonomous drone security. ? Ryan Smith and Terry Owens, CPP will break down the real-world challenges and advancements in Autonomous Response and Patrol (ARP), Remote Pilot Operations Centers, and BVLOS operations. ? Secure your spot now and gain critical insights into the future of drone security. Register now: https://lnkd.in/ekJAyJkU