Unmanned Systems continue to transform the current battle space with innovative tactics, techniques and procedures.  Unmanned systems are enjoying wider application in all markets due to their untapped modernization potential, value for money, crew safety and ability to successfully operate in hostile environments.   There is a growing dependence on autonomous systems in every mission area.   United States’ unmanned aerial systems annual flight hours have exploded from just 5,000 hours in 1996 to over 160,000 flight hours in 2006. Unmanned systems are making unprecedented contributions in the areas of persistence surveillance, detection and disarming of IEDs, border security, manned-unmanned operations, unconventional warfare, precise lethal operations, civil missions and maritime domain awareness. 

The concept of delivering autonomous vehicle effects over, around and through fielded forces to strike at the enemy’s center of gravity defines the strategic, operational and tactical nature of unmanned systems.  Developing the operational art and rapidly evolving technologies required to command and dominate unmanned systems are vital to the security of all nations. 

The logical question is what are the drivers and limitations for unmanned systems at the “next level” of capabilities and desired effects.  Shephard’s UAV North American conferences will explore this challenge from many executive level perspectives over two days (6 and 7 November 2007) in San Diego, California.  Due to the curriculum of executive speakers and conference focus, this is the premier unmanned systems conference in the United States in 2007.  Delegates should contact Shephard’s conferences at sc@shephard.co.uk for further details.  We look forward to seeing you in San Diego.   

Key topics:

· Service & Coalition Perspectives
· Innovative Applications/Technologies & Preparing for the Future Fight
· New Threats:  Cyber, Proliferation and Unconventional Uses
· International Perspectives
· Industry Opportunities
· Path Ahead