New AUVSI Committee Dives Deep for Aquatic Drones

The world’s largest non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of UAS systems is taking a deep dive to speak for maritime drone interests.

The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International announced the creation of the Unmanned Maritime Systems Advocacy Committee. The committee will identify and advance policy positions for the growing industry. Aquatic or marine drone development represents a new wave of robotics technology. Researchers use submersible and surface drones to survey marine life in a non-intrusive way while companies and defense agencie deploy them to explore shipping lanes, scout potential fishing areas or conduct security patrols.

“Unmanned maritime systems allow military and commercial operators alike to go farther and deeper than ever before,” said Brian Wynne, president and CEO of AUVSI. “The input provided by the UMS Advocacy Committee will help us speak with a unified voice and enable all our members to advocate for the growth of the industry.”

The committee will include:

• Chairman Thomas Reynolds, vice president of Business Development for Hydroid Inc./Kongsberg Maritime. Reynolds, who currently leads all Kongsberg Maritime business with the U.S. government, previously served as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy, where he served as commander of the Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) Task Group, U.S. Fifth Fleet, among other roles.
• Vice-chairman Wayne Prender, vice president for Applied Technology and Advance Programs at Textron Systems. Prender is responsible for engineering development programs, advancing areas such as the Common Unmanned Surface Vehicle and Cased-Telescoped Weapons and Ammunition, as well as emerging capabilities and development programs.
• Representatives from BAE Systems, L3 Technologies, Leidos, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Seaborn Defense.

AUVSI says the committee will focus on the following:

• “Establish the UMS Advocacy Committee as the preeminent industry voice influencing acquisition and regulatory policies and processes.
• Facilitate the growth of UMS through active engagement with the government and commercial sectors.
• Collaborate with ship owners, operators, shipyards, ports, federal maritime agencies, technology developers, classification societies and academia to further integrate advanced automation for maritime platforms into the domestic market.
• Develop the future of the UMS workforce through technology-focused education.”