Virginia offers a number of competitive advantages for UMS firms: a stable and friendly regulatory environment, a unique geography with ample testing locations, a plethora of civil business and existing technology firms, an ample and well-trained workforce, and a host of educational institutions conducting advanced research and training the next generation of industry leaders.
Virginia Unmanned Systems Commission
Governor Terry McAuliffe signed Executive Order 43, establishing the Virginia Unmanned Systems Commission to bring public and private sector experts together to make recommendations on how to make Virginia the national leader in unmanned systems.
“Capitalizing on Virginia’s advantages in the unmanned systems industry is key to building a new Virginia economy,” said Governor McAuliffe. “This executive order will lay the foundation for my administration’s efforts to make this Commonwealth the world’s leader in unmanned systems and seize the enormous economic opportunities that accompany growing this industry.
The Virginia Unmanned Systems Commission will be a key asset in charting the way forward to grow this industry and create new, good jobs and economic opportunities across the Commonwealth.
Virginia Unmanned Systems
We are home to many of the top universities in the country, many of which offer advanced courses in Unmanned Systems (UMS), cyber security, software design, legal services, science and research, and robotics- everything your UMS company needs to succeed. Our workforce includes the high-tech skills found in our Northern Virginia Technology Corridor, experienced veterans returning to civilian life from our many defense installations, and leading edge research performed at our universities and local federal laboratories.
Virginia’s business environment is designed to help your business grow. Virginia provides superb access to hubs of innovation and to air/land/sea testing areas within close proximity to customers in both the private and public sectors. We provide an excellent manufacturing environment with easy access to transportation and family-friendly quality of life and cost of living.