OSU participates in international UAS tradeshow

Monday, August 20, 2012

Oklahoma State University faculty and students attended the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International's (AUVSI) 2012 North American trade show in Las Vegas to promote OSU's educational and research capabilities in unmanned aerial systems.

OSU has the first (and currently only) UAS degree option at the graduate level in the nation. The option provides students with a recognized emphasis in instruction and research and supplies them with hands-on analysis, design, construction and flight testing of UAS platforms.

OSU also maintains one of the world's leading UAS research programs. Current UAS research projects include: development of unmanned flight inspection systems for the FAA and Air Force, bird-like UAVs, quiet UAVs and quad-copters. Scales of the vehicles range from micro air vehicles that fit in the palm of your hand to those with 40-foot wing spansthat weigh over 2,000 pounds.

"AUVSI is the premier event for unmanned systems," said Dr. Jamey Jacob, a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering. "What was unique about OSU's presence is that we presented the full range of needs from education to design to flight testing. The take-away was that we can do it all. Everyone was impressed by what we can do."

UAS is now one of the state's fastest growing industries, according to the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. This is because of the state's leadership, new public and private sector partnerships, availability of restricted airspace, as well as strong UAS programs – like OSU's – in flight testing, research and development, and education and training.

"We have definitely positioned ourselves as leaders in the growing area," said Dr. Stephen McKeever, OSU's vice president for research and technology transfer, who Governor Fallin appointed last year to lead the state's UAS Council. "The potential for growth for UAS in Oklahoma and throughout the nation is huge and OSU students will be well-prepared for success."

The AUVSI North America trade show provides a space for more than 500 exhibitors and 8,000 attendees frommore than 40 countries to connect.

The OSU group was part of a large delegation representing Oklahoma. Other Oklahoma organizations represented included Design Intelligence Inc., Supero, Frontier Electronic Systems, Tactical Electronics, the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, Tulsa Metro Chamber, Ponca City Development Authority, Lawton-FortSill Economic Development Corporation, Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology, Oklahoma State University Multispectral Laboratories, University of Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Department of Commerce.