RD216 - Virginia Unmanned Systems Business Plan - August 20, 2015


Executive Summary:
Advances in automation and related technologies have led to an exponential growth in demand for Unmanned Systems services and applications. Ready access to very inexpensive and easy to use Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) platforms by companies large and small have led to innovative uses spanning film production, agriculture, infrastructure inspections, first responders, lifesaving, and natural resources management. These advances are rapidly finding their way into automobiles, farm and other surface machinery, and maritime surface and underwater systems. Within the field of UAS, the industry consists of a vast number of entrepreneurs and startup firms exploring various business models and systems that can be provided at low cost to many customers, with major corporations largely engaged in production of very high cost systems supporting demanding Department of Defense (DoD) applications. These major corporations are actively watching the UAS market evolution to identify business models, including related services, appropriate to the strategies and cost structures of the large firms.

Virginia is home to a unique combination of assets that position the Commonwealth well to take a major leadership role in this emerging field, not only in all domains of UnManned Systems (UMS) (air, land, and sea) but also in the entire support structure from education, research and development, testing, deployment, maintenance, and multiple related services. Realizing this leadership role and economic growth potential requires both (1) activating the value propositions already resident in Virginia and (2) mitigating barriers to growth including policy, regulation, and access to stage-appropriate incentives and capital by the entrepreneurial and small firms.