Conference set on UAV technology

NEW YORK, Jan. 14 (UPI) -- The current and future state of unmanned aerial vehicle technology will be the focus of a conference in Washington in April.

The Institute for Defense and Government Advancement said the Seventh Annual UAV Summit will provide a comprehensive overview of new requirements, emerging policies, latest programs and acquisition efforts for the UAV industry.

Briefs will focus on supporting operations in the theater of war, new UAV challenges and developments being seen in the field, advanced perspectives on Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and optimizing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance tactics and technology.

"With recent developments like an additional $70 billion allocated over the next five years and the Air Force discussing moving exclusively to UAVs for sixth-generation fighters, UAVs are becoming a critical asset of the entire U.S. military," said program director Nick Petti. "We have already received tremendous response from the community."

The UAV conference is comprised of a pre-summit workshop day, a comprehensive two-day summit and a post-summit workshop day.

Speakers include Dyke D. Weatherington, SES, Unmanned Aircraft Systems Acquisition, Office of the Secretary of Defense; U.S. Air Force Col. James Gear, director, RPA Task Force; U.S. Army Col. Gregory Gonzalez, program manager; and others.

The Institute for Defense and Government Advancement is a non-partisan, information-based organization dedicated to the promotion of innovative ideas in public service and defense.