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NEWS RELEASE

UAI, International to Expand

Unmanned Aircraft Systems Research

“Teaming of Industry, Government & Academics is the First of Its Kind”

         (Grand Forks, ND)—Unmanned Applications Institute (UAI) International has been established to bridge industry partners, government agencies and educational institutions in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) research and robotic technologies. UAI International, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded by Michael P. Corcoran and Tom K. Kenville, supports all unmanned products for water, land and air while enhancing both economic and academic growth within all areas that deal with unmanned systems and robotic technology. 

According to Corcoran and Kenville, “Our mission is to provide unbiased, results-oriented technical and program support for customers in government and industry.” Corcoran adds, “Full-Motion Video (FMV) and Activity Based Intelligence Analysis are initial areas of focus.”

         While the recent growth of UAS and robotics has been explosive, companies lack the overall skills and resources to engage in new project developments. And, information and strategies are not shared amongst the industry, resulting in contained development and ineffective growth of technologies. Likewise, institutions and technical schools conducting research for future unmanned systems need subject matter support and mission focus that contains the current needs and goals of both government and industry partners.

         According to Kenville, “UAI International will bridge industry partners to complete complex projects and supply Great Plains’ companies and schools with Subject Matter Expertise (SME) to facilitate directed research that enhances academia and industry which will produce world-class research, testing and people who will become the future leaders of the unmanned industry.”

          UAI International assists companies and schools to facilitate the growth in businesses, UAS markets, regional economic development and expertise in advanced research and testing. UAI International intends to set the standards in safety, research, and development as this industry expands into the military and commercial application for land, air and water. Operations are conducted from offices in Grand Forks, ND through support from key founding sponsors which include The Center for Innovation Foundation and Brown Corporations. A range complex capable of testing new and existing unmanned aircraft systems is located at the UAI-Brown Corporation Proving Grounds complex approximately five miles south of Grand Forks in the Brown Corporation Business Park. The UAI Proving Grounds consist of seven different sites that can support small unmanned aircraft systems, ground and water-based unmanned system test operations. Both office and Proving Grounds facilities support cold-weather operations, a first in the country and a critical component for both research and system certification requirements. These facilities will allow short-term testing solutions at a reasonable cost which is currently not available to the unmanned industry.

         Current UAI International partners include: Brown Corporation, Ideal Aerosmith, Appareo Systems, Ulteig Engineers, Xollai, Compac Aerotech, LLC, ComDel, Pedigree, Northrop Grumman, General Atomics, Sarrisa, and ATIC/RIR (Dayton, OH). UAII academic partners include: University of North Dakota, North Dakota State University, North Dakota State College of Science, Northland Community and Technical College, University of Minnesota-Crookston, and Lake Region Community College.

         UAI International founders, Michael P. Corcoran and Tom K. Kenville, have extensive backgrounds in the Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) industry, including government, political, commercial and financial arenas. Corcoran, was the founding Director of Air Operations for the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations Center – North Dakota for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). He is also Program Manager of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Systems for Ulteig Engineers where he develops unmanned programs within a corporate environment to support both government and civil applications.

         Kenville, has over 20 years of non-profit leadership experience in aviation and entrepreneurial companies. He chairs the Valley Angel Investment Fund and has raised millions through equity or philanthropy. Kenville has been an entrepreneur since 2000 and has vast experience in high growth international aviation-related entrepreneurial businesses.

About UAI International:   

         UAI International is the first institute of its kind for the unmanned industry which focuses on bringing research results to the commercial and military markets for land, water and air. Information about the Unmanned Applications Institute (UAI) International may be found at www.uaiinternational.org.

 Contact:

Mike                                                                                mike@uaiinternational.org                                                                                                                                                    701-213-1247

                                                                                                                                                  Tom                                                                                                                                     tom@uaiinternational.org                                                                                                                                                        218-779-9950