Figure 2 . The Matternet UAS with UPS package .
The world of unmanned and autonomous systems is moving at an incredibly fast pace . Recent forecasts predict 80 to 100 billion dollars of economic incentive and more than 100,000 new jobs in the unmanned aircraft system ( UAS ) sector by 2025 within the USA . A steady stream of public announcements from regulatory agencies and the private sector promoting unmanned systems integration strategies and progress reinforces the reality of both increasing U . S . government federal funding and increasing improvements in international rule-making cooperation . The increasing number of 14 CFR Part 21.17 ( a ) and ( b ) Type Cert applications within LAACO requiring rapidly increasing usage of both public and private UAS test ranges are indicative that the time is now to capitalize on this industry .
The Purpose of the Council
Interests among Council members are as diverse as the organizations they represent , with all members having a shared focus , outlined in the Council ’ s mission statement :
“ The mission of the Unmanned Systems Industry Council ( USIC ) is to be Washington State ’ s leading organization in the promotion and enhancement of the unmanned and autonomous industry with a primary focus on aviation . USIC seeks to shape economic growth opportunities by promoting advocacy and legislative awareness , and collaboratively identifying and implementing solutions that answer complex problems facing industry and the public sectors .”
Members of the Council consist of The Department of Commerce – Aerospace ; the Washington State Department of Transportation – Aviation Division ; The Center of Excellence for Aerospace and Advanced Manufacturing ; and an established Industry Lead partner . Commerce and the industry partner are the co-chairs of the Council .
Washington State Department of Commerce
Robin Toth , Director of Aerospace
Steven Maheshwary ,
Director of Information Technology
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