U.S. Air Force to host UAS symposium at UND The U.S. Air Force has chosen UND Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Research, Education and Training as the site for an academic outreach conference to be held August 4-6. About 100 U.S. universities will be invited to participate in the conference at UND. Air Force leaders recently released a long-term roadmap called the "UAS Flight Plan" detailing the service's way ahead for UAS implementation. Signed into effect on June 26 by Air Force Secretary Michael B. Donley and U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton A. Schwartz, the U.S. Air Force Unmanned Aircraft 40-year “Flight Plan” will be the central symposium topic. “The U.S. Air Force wanted to reach out to academia to engage that community regarding the Air Force’s future needs,” said Douglas Marshall, director of program development for the UAS Center. “The long-term goal is to take people out of the cockpit to reduce the risk and still have the capability of defense.” The Air Force recently briefed UND officials on its plans for the role of unmanned aircraft in defense measures, but this will be the first time the document is made publicly available, Marshall said. The Air Force recognizes and values the cutting edge research and development academic and industry partners undertake in furthering our military capabilities for the nation's defense. The event next month at UND will enable discussions among U.S. Department of Defense and industry on topics including the growth and application of UAS-related technologies to changes in policy, doctrine, training and organization that will enable the service to realize its goals. The symposium will consist of briefings by key Air Force organizations related to the service's ongoing UAS efforts; presentations by leading academic institutions regarding research; and panel discussions comprising key Air Force and academic personnel. Distinguished guests scheduled to address the attendees include North Dakota Senators Byron Dorgan and Kent Conrad, Congressman Earl Pomeroy, Governor John Hoeven and General Stephen Lorenz, commander of USAF Air Education and Training Command. The UND Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems has provided premier UAS research and education through Sen. Dorgan's funding efforts in Congress since 2005. Media are invited to attend the event. See registration info at http://www.uasresearch.org. -- Juan Pedraza, Writer/Editor, University Relations, juan.pedraza@mail.und.edu, 777-6571