Cutting-edge drone technology showcased during Thunder Drone Exhibition 

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Fairfax, Va. (May 21 – May 22, 2024): George Mason University and the AFCENT Battle Lab welcomed over 200 individuals from the National Security and Defense communities to an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) “Thunder Drone” event, outside of Leesburg, Virginia on May 21 and 22, 2024. Thunder Drone was a premier government, academic, and industry UAS sandbox that focused on demonstration, integration, and transitioning emerging capabilities related to drone and sensor technology.  

Across the two-day event, hundreds of drones were flown showcasing emerging technologies related to UAS and Counter-UAS mission sets, including drone swarms, drone-on-drone engagements, find-fix-track-and-target scenarios, as well as new AI/ML and sensor technologies. 

This signature event was a major milestone in the Education Partnership between George Mason and AFCENT. Given the success of the event, more collaboration to follow in fall 2024. Learn more about the Educational Partnership Agreement.
 

Pictured from left to right: Dyar Aziz, Dr. Rajesh Ganesan, Dr. Kuo-Chu "KC" Chang, Dr. Michael Hieb, Lieutenant Colonel Charles "Chaz" LeDeatte, Dr. Sherry Crissman, Dr. Alexander Brodsky.
Pictured from left to right: Dyar Aziz, Rajesh Ganesan, Kuo-Chu "KC" Chang, Michael Hieb, Lieutenant Colonel Charles "Chaz" LeDeatte, Sherry Crissman, Alexander Brodsky.