Unmanned Systems in Virginia

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/space 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.

Additionally, the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the Center for Innovative Technology, and the Governor's Office are available to assist. Virginia is open for business and we are here to help you access the specific expertise, workforce, facilities, and business environment to realize your Unmanned Systems visions.

Uniquely Positioned

Virginia lies within close proximity to Washington, DC's policy makers and both suppliers and users of Unmanned Systems across DoD, agricultural, infrastructure, and first responder applications. We are also home to a rich variety of maritime, airspace, and land environments ranging from deep water to agricultural and mountainous terrain.

Home to Innovation

The UAV industry requires a large variety of resources for development, testing, and applications. Virginia is uniquely positioned to provide ideal conditions and locations for the land, maritime, and aerial unmanned systems industry. Our skilled workforce has been developed to support the Comprehensive Economic Development Policy for the Commonwealth and the unmanned systems industry. Our universities and research centers continue to improve with programs designed to match the skills and expertise needed by all types of employers.

Virginia is pioneering the Cyber-UMS industry by bringing together leaders in both cyber security and UAV industries to ensure that Virginia UAS companies feel secure, as well as develop a whole new industry that can call Virginia home. Virginia's tech leaders are focused on synchronizing and facilitating a union between technological industries in a way that will simultaneously advance all Unmanned Systems domains such as cyber security, MODSIM, controls, advanced manufacturing, and others. For more information, see our Why Virginia? page.

Governor Northam and the VA General Assembly recognize the important role that the unmanned systems industry will have in the growth of Virginia’s economy. As one of that industry’s stakeholders, you are helping to shape the future of how we all will live, work and play.  

To support the innovation that you and many others are creating and the leadership that you provide, the Commonwealth established the VirginiaCenter for Unmanned Systems at CIT. The principal charge to this Center is …”to support the advancement of unmanned systems companies and development of the unmanned systems industry in the Commonwealth.”

We recruited a familiar and well-respected advocate for UMS as the Center’s Director and we are excited about serving this dynamic community of public and private sector innovators and entrepreneurs.

However, our ability to champion your interests and develop greater business opportunities will rely heavily on your input and engagement. We’ve met with dozens of stakeholders and we will continue that learning process to ensure that Virginia provides the infrastructure, support, policies, exposure, workforce and opportunities that are needed to support UMS – land, sea and air.

A couple of priority projects for the Center are outlined below. But there is no time like the present to get in touch with us. Just click here and we will receive your message: VA Center for UMS