For Immediate Release: July 15, 2019
Contact: Tom McMahon, tmcmahon@auvsi.org, (571) 255-7786

Unmanned Systems – Defense. Protection. Security. 2019 Show Features

Annual unmanned systems conference focused on defense, protection and security will feature educational sessions, industry-driven discussions and the Innovation Challenge.

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) will provide opportunities for education, market research, networking and technological innovation at AUVSI Unmanned Systems – Defense. Protection. Security. (USDPS) 2019. The event, which will explore unmanned systems applications in defense, protection and security, will take place on Aug. 20 to 21 at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park in Washington, D.C.

Three primary features of the conference are the breakout sessions, roundtable luncheons and the Innovation Challenge. More information about each feature is available on the USDPS website.

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

The 2019 USDPS Breakout Sessions are a new feature to the event. Attendees can expect smaller, more intimate sessions designed to facilitate an interactive and engaging experience through shared interests led by leaders in a topic:

Tuesday, August 20 at 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. EDT

• UAS Plans, Programs and Progress Across the Services

• Gen. James "Cliffy" Cluff, Director, RPS/Big Wing ISR, HAF/A2
• Col. Philip Root, Program Manager, TTO, DARPA
• Jeff Sullens, USCG Office of Aviation Acquisition
• William Taylor, APM-ISR, United States Special Operations Command

• Capability Advancements for Surface and Subsurface Unmanned Systems

• Jason R. Stack, Portfolio Manager for Autonomy, ONR
• Pete Small, Program Manager, PMS 406, Unmanned Maritime Systems PEO Unmanned and Small Combatants, U.S. Navy PEO Unmanned and Small Combatants, U.S. Navy
• Daniel Malatesta, Program Manager, Expeditionary Missions (PMS 408), U.S. Navy
• John A Moses, Navy Battery Development Safety Enterprise Program Manager, NAVSEA 05Z
• Andrew Nuss, Program Manager, DARPA

• USDPS Innovation Challenge

Wednesday, August 21 at 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. EDT

• UAS Threat Detection and Mitigation

• Elizabeth Neumann, Assistant Secretary for Threat Prevention and Security Policy, DHS

Defense Acquisition Innovation

• Ben McMartin, Chief of the Acquisition Management Office, CCDC, Ground Vehicle Systems Center

• Defense Robotics, Autonomy and Artificial Intelligence

ROUNDTABLE LUNCHEONS

The Roundtable Luncheons are opportunities to make new connections, share ideas and gain valuable insights into the future of unmanned defense systems. Attendees will select topics of interest during registration and will be assigned to participate in interactive discussions over lunch on each conference day.

Sixteen topics, which are subject to change, will be offered spanning industry issues, technology trends and service specific program discussions. Each table will be facilitated by a Dept. of Defense or industry representative who is well-versed in the assigned topic:

Key Industry Issues:

• Acquisition Innovation
• Working with the U.S. Government
• Rapid Equipping and Prototyping
• Advancements in Training

Technology Trends/Challenges:

• UAS Mitigation
• Ground Robot Autonomy
• Artificial Intelligence
• Swarming Technology
• Manned/Unmanned Teaming

Service-Specific Discussions:

• Air Force Initiatives
• Navy Initiatives – Air
• Navy Initiatives – Maritime
• Marine Corps Initiatives
• Army Initiatives – Air
• Army Initiatives – Ground
• DARPA Initiatives

INNOVATION CHALLENGE

The USDPS Innovation Challenge is a competition for small, start-up and early stage companies operating in the commercial, defense and non-traditional unmanned systems or autonomous systems sectors. The companies will present their technology to government and industry representatives at a session during the conference.

The winner will receive a prize package valued at more than $35,000. Finalists will have the opportunity to present their ideas to the defense, protection and security community at the conference and be positioned as a leading innovator with recognition on the USDPS Innovation Challenge webpage and in the USDPS on-site program.

Registration to attend USDPS is complimentary for military and government personnel. For more information about USDPS, please visit www.auvsi.org/USDPS.

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About AUVSI

The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) — the world's largest non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of unmanned systems and robotics — represents corporations and professionals from more than 60 countries involved in industry, government and academia. AUVSI members work in the defense, civil and commercial markets. For more information, visit AUVSI.org.