Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Worldwide will offer a Master of Science in Unmanned Systems starting this summer.
“Interest in the unmanned systems industry is growing at an incredible rate,” said Brent Terwilliger, program chair and assistant professor of aeronautics. “This work is complex, and organizations will be looking for employees with specialized education and training in the years to come. The Master of Science in Unmanned Systems will challenge students to seek innovative solutions to issues in this developing field.”
Beginning in August, unmanned systems coursework will examine the application, development, management and policies of unmanned systems and address issues including regulation; systems design; policy and ethics; education and training; and human performance and machine interaction.
The degree has concentrations in the following areas: unmanned aerospace system (UAS); aeronautics and design; human factors; space systems; safety/emergency response; operations; education; aviation/aerospace management; and aviation/aerospace research.
Embry-Riddle Worldwide also offers a minor in unmanned aerial systems as part of a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics and a specialization in unmanned aerospace systems in the Master of Aeronautical Science. Two-day, UAS short courses are being offered throughout the country and abroad through Embry-Riddle Worldwide’s Office of Professional Education.
For more information: Worldwide.ERAU.edu
If the national airspace can be effectively regulated to ‘safely’ permit simultaneous manned aircraft and UAV operations, the latter could be avalued additive during emergency response situations. USCG Auxiliary Aviation flies long distance manned surveillance, barge count, aerial inspections of dams and environmental pollution missions along the Ohio River, from the Three Rivers’ confluence in Pittsburgh to Ashland in Eastern KY to Louisville, past downtown Cincinnati and beyond to Cairo, IL – about 981 miles. Already last year’s sequestration and USCG/DHS budget constraints this year have severely curtailed these manned volunteer flights. Unlike the USAF’s Civil Air Patrol (where the AF owns the light aircraft resources CAP volunteers fly) CG AUX AV planes and Auxiliarists’ boats are privately owned and maintained by their owners. UAVs could assist active duty USCG and Auxiliary Aviation during emergencies. It looks like UAVs are here to stay and we better learn how to deal with and manage them.