Ansley presented research on the future applications of autonomous and non-autonomous unmanned aircraft (AUAV and UAV) unmanned aerial vehicles in naval combat and potential strategic and policy implications for the U.S. Navy. This technology has rapidly progressed over the last few years and can provide capabilities previously unavailable to militaries, especially navies. The research was developed and conducted as part of Nunn School Associate Professor Margaret E. Kosal’s VIP research group. As part of the Expo, he was able to attend lectures from RADM David Haan, Chief of ONR; ADM Richardson, current Chief of Naval Operations; and other individuals throughout the defense industry. He also interacted with professionals from the Department of Defense, including the deputy director of U.S. Defense Advanced Research Project Agency’s (DARPA’s) Tern program, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) project operating in the same vein as Ansley’s research.

The Naval Future Force S&T Expo showcases some of the U.S. Navy’s and Marine Corp’s latest technologies and brings together military leaders, technology innovators, and academics from around the world to share information; discuss research opportunities; and build partnerships between the Navy, Marine Corps, industry and academia.

His participation in the S&T conference was partially supported by the Georgia Tech Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP).