In response to a growing demand for innovative Unmanned Systems (UxS) solutions, the Virginia Institute for Space Flight & Autonomy (VISA) and Virginia’s Center for Innovative Technology (CIT) have embarked on developing a Hampton Roads Unmanned Systems Playbook. This initiative will focus on the continued expansion and evolution of unmanned ground, aerial, maritime, and space technologies in Hampton Roads and Eastern Shore. The project was launched at the Unmanned Systems UxS Industry Engagement Summit, where public safety leadership challenges were presented. The playbook is anticipated to significantly impact maritime ports, with new autonomous technologies being evaluated for their potential effectiveness. VISA and CIT aim to leverage existing resources such as the long coastline, rocket launch facilities, federal installations for research, and a skilled workforce to grow the UxS industry in the region.
Introduction
CIT and VISA Begin Development of an Unmanned Systems Playbook For Hampton Roads and Eastern Shore to meet growing customer demand for innovative UXS solutions.
Announcement of the Playbook
NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, USA, July 30, 2021 — The Virginia Institute for Space Flight & Autonomy (VISA) and Virginia’s Center for Innovative Technology (CIT) have launched a program to develop a Hampton Roads-Eastern Shore Unmanned Systems (UxS) Strategic Playbook to focus on the continued development and expansion of unmanned ground, aerial, maritime, and space technologies.
Industry Engagement Summit
The announcement of the playbook and search for UxS solutions began with the Unmanned Systems UxS Industry Engagement Summit on July 28 at Half Moone Cruise & Celebration Center at Nauticus. The event, attended by more than 150 Hampton Roads innovation leaders, presented challenges identified by public safety leadership during an intensive maritime safety workshop held a few weeks ago.
Workshop and Evaluation
The workshop was conducted with support from the Office of the Virginia Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security. The participants, which included the U.S. Coast Guard, the Virginia Port Authority, the Center for Naval Analysis, and local public safety agencies, evaluated new autonomous technologies and determined their potential impact and effectiveness at maritime ports.
Partnership and Initiatives
VISA is a research enterprise of the Virginia Modeling, Analysis, and Simulation Center (VMASC) at Old Dominion University in Norfolk. As the nonprofit operations arm of the Virginia Innovation Partnership Authority (VIPA), CIT is the primary source for information, grants, partnerships, and seed funding for UxS in the Commonwealth. Through a memorandum of understanding, VISA will initiate and implement pilot programs in Hampton Roads and the Eastern Shore to support CIT’s UxS strategic plan to grow the industry across Virginia.
Future Plans and Resources
The VISA and CIT executives say there are numerous existing resources to build the UxS industry in the region, including a long coastline with access to open water, world-class rocket launch facilities, federal defense and civilian government installations for research and development, advanced manufacturing centers, and a highly skilled workforce.
About VISA and CIT
About VISA: The Virginia Institute for Spaceflight and Autonomy (VISA) is chartered to grow the entrepreneurial ecosystems for space flight and autonomy. The Institute will be the hub to leverage Virginia’s world-class assets in space launch, autonomous systems, modeling and simulation and data science to solve real-world problems.
About CIT: As part of the new Virginia Innovation Partnership Authority (VIPA), CIT, the Virginia Center for Innovative Technology, accelerates next-generation technologies and technology companies through commercialization, capital formation, and market development initiatives. The Virginia Unmanned Systems Center at CIT focuses on engaging and connecting emerging UxS technology companies with opportunities to innovate in all domains: land, air, sea, and space. www.CIT.org
Tracy Tynan
Director, Virginia Unmanned Systems Center at CIT
Tracy.Tynan@CIT.org
Question & Answer
What is the purpose of the Hampton Roads Unmanned Systems Playbook?
The Hampton Roads Unmanned Systems Playbook is being developed to focus on the expansion and evolution of unmanned ground, aerial, maritime, and space technologies in Hampton Roads and Eastern Shore.
When was the Unmanned Systems UxS Industry Engagement Summit held?
The Unmanned Systems UxS Industry Engagement Summit was held on July 28 at the Half Moone Cruise & Celebration Center at Nauticus.
What resources are available to support the growth of the UxS industry in Hampton Roads?
Existing resources in the region include a long coastline, rocket launch facilities, federal installations for research, advanced manufacturing centers, and a skilled workforce.
