WarrenUAS Expands Horizons with New Counter-UAS Program
WarrenUAS, the renowned drone training program at Warren County Community College in New Jersey, is making headlines with a significant advancement: the launch of a specialized Counter-UAS (C-UAS) program, placing it at the cutting edge of a swiftly evolving and strategically vital field.
The Emergence of Counter-UAS: Its Importance
The global rise in drone usage has introduced not only exciting possibilities but also complex challenges, with drone security being at the forefront. Unauthorized drones over sensitive areas, airports, public gatherings, or even during military missions pose significant risks. This is where Counter-UAS (C-UAS) technologies and skills come into play, enabling the detection, identification, and neutralization of rogue drones before they cause harm.
- The global C-UAS sector is expected to expand with a CAGR of over 25% within the next five years, driven by concerns affecting airports, military bases, and large public venues.
- High-profile drone disruptions, like the Gatwick Airport incident in 2018, have elevated C-UAS to a critical discussion point for both governments and industries.
WarrenUAS: A Hub of Education Excellence
Operating from Washington, NJ, WarrenUAS has established itself as a top-tier institution for drone training in America. With a projected enrollment exceeding 70 students this year and over 80 advanced UAS platforms for hands-on learning, the college is celebrated for its comprehensive approach, immersive experiences, and state-of-the-art facilities.
- Practical Training: Offering hands-on experience across various UAS types, including multi-rotors, fixed-wings, specialty drones, and mission-focused payloads.
- Expert Instructors: The program benefits from industry veterans like Brandon Youngblood, a pioneer in C-UAS, with over 20 years of experience, contributing significantly to national C-UAS policies at the FAA.
- Comprehensive Curriculum: The curriculum spans manual and autonomous piloting, mission and risk planning, payload configurations, and advanced data analysis using tools like Pix4D and ArcGIS Pro.
Recently, WarrenUAS achieved the prestigious FAA 44807 exemption, allowing them to train with large drones over 55 pounds, a rare accolade shared by only four other U.S. institutions, paving the way for advanced research and commercial training opportunities.
Insights into the New Counter-UAS Program
What’s New?
The C-UAS specialization caters to the immediate needs of industries and governments for experts capable of managing and deploying defenses against unidentified or hostile UAS. The curriculum is carefully crafted to include:
- Classroom Education: Covering detection, tracking, and mitigation technologies, such as RF, radar, kinetic, and cyber solutions.
- Scenario-Based Field Exercises: Involving live drones and simulation platforms for realistic practice.
- Guest Lectures and Industry Mentoring: Facilitated by leading figures in drone defense, law enforcement, and regulatory agencies.
Who Stands to Gain?
- Security Personnel: Protecting venues like stadiums, refineries, and critical infrastructures.
- Public Safety Units: Involving police, fire services, and emergency managers handling drone-related incidents.
- Defense and Military Teams: Undertaking anti-drone initiatives.
- Technology Innovators: Developing future drone detection and counteractive measures.
President of WarrenUAS, Will Austin, elaborates, “The demand for skilled professionals in C-UAS is evident. With drones increasingly used across various platforms—from military to public spaces—we aspire to meet this demand and offer students avenues to dynamic new careers.”
Career Opportunities and Industry Links
Why consider C-UAS training now?
- There is a rapid increase in demand for C-UAS experts, with salaries frequently surpassing $80,000 in sectors like public safety and security consulting.
- WarrenUAS forges strong connections with employers across defense, consulting, energy, and law enforcement, thanks to its standing and its ties with organizations like AUVSI (Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International).
- Students engage in real-world projects with notable clients, such as aiding NJ TRANSIT with drone solutions or participating in field deployments for governmental and agricultural purposes.
Fun Fact: WarrenUAS student teams have significantly boosted local farms’ productivity through precision agriculture, even securing federal grants for their innovative strategies. Alumni often secure positions with utility firms, defense contractors, and government entities—many before completing their studies.
Gaining Practical Experience Beyond Flying
At WarrenUAS, students master the entire drone operational lifecycle:
- Pre-Mission Planning: Including risk assessment, compliance with FAA regulations, and ethical considerations.
- During Missions: Covering manual and autonomous flights, payload handling.
- Data Gathering and Analysis: Techniques like surveying, photogrammetry, search and rescue, and incident documentation.
- Maintenance and Repairs: Consisting of electronics, 3D printing, and rapid field recovery—ensuring operators can swiftly resume operations after minor mishaps.
As part of the C-UAS program, students explore, test, and evaluate diverse counter-drone technologies—from signal jammers and sensors to kinetic interceptors and forensic tools.
Spotlight on WarrenUAS
Noteworthy Events & Public Interaction
WarrenUAS regularly features at leading UAV conferences, such as the Commercial UAV Expo and AUVSI XPONENTIAL. There, its representatives not only showcase technology but also address queries from industry figures, government officials, and the intrigued public.
According to President Austin, “Whether you’re an aspiring drone professional, an experienced industry participant wanting to keep updated, or simply someone curious about the latest drone trends, WarrenUAS has something to offer.”
Recognition and Accolades
- One of the early U.S. community colleges with an FAA waiver enabling operations over crowds and BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight)—capabilities usually reserved for top research facilities and defense entities.
- Distinguished as an AUVSI Trusted Operator Training Provider and an ASTM-endorsed drone training center—a global benchmark for UAS education.
Leading Experts: Pioneering the Future
- Brandon Youngblood: Head of Drone Defense Professionals; boasts 20 years in UAS, with the past seven focused on national C-UAS strategy and operations. His previous role includes managing UAS security and coordinating interagency efforts for the FAA.
- Will Austin: The driving force behind WarrenUAS, championing hands-on, skill-enhancing drone education, and often participating in expert panels and policy discussions.
Real-World Application: C-UAS Proficiency in Action
Scenario: Securing a Stadium at a Big Sporting Event
A WarrenUAS-trained officer manages a C-UAS system with multiple layers.
- Detection: Sensor arrays detect an unauthorized drone entering the stadium’s airspace.
- Identification: The C-UAS system determines the drone’s model as likely being a hobbyist’s or paparazzi drone.
- Mitigation: An operator uses a non-kinetic jammer to safely land the drone outside populated areas.
- Documentation & Law Enforcement: Data is prepared for an FAA incident report; the operator is located and instructed accordingly.
The event becomes a success story in public safety and C-UAS capabilities, illustrating the vital expertise WarrenUAS imparts.
The Impact on the Drone Industry
As drones grow in autonomy, power, and prevalence, the skill to responsibly detect and neutralize drone security threats is becoming essential for governments and corporations alike.
Training at WarrenUAS ensures that operators and C-UAS professionals don’t just grasp the technology but apply it responsibly and innovatively, making them indispensable to both employers and the greater society.
Conclusion: Embrace the Drone Defense Evolution
Be it a drone enthusiast, someone shifting careers, or a guardian of key assets in one’s organization or community, the realm of C-UAS is burgeoning with opportunities. WarrenUAS’s new program stands as a timely, resilient gateway, supported by expertise, real-world affiliations, and a strategic vision of what uncrewed systems can achieve for the greater good.
Be among those who don’t just fly the drones—be the ones who ensure the skies remain secure for everyone.
