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News from around the Northwest about uncrewed systems and robotics
from the Cascade Chapter of the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International.
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Become a Cascade Chapter Sponsor
As an AUVSI Cascade Chapter Sponsor, you'll receive year-round visibility through chapter events, marketing, our website, and our growing network of industry professionals. Sponsorship opportunities are available at multiple levels, making it easy to find a package that aligns with your goals and engagement priorities.
Learn more about sponsorship opportunities and join the companies helping drive innovation forward.
| | ANNUAL CASCADE CHAPTER SPONSORS | Thank you to our annual sponsors for supporting the AUVSI Cascade Chapter and our mission to advance advocacy, build community, and drive education across the Pacific Northwest. | Contact Lori Brown for sponsorship opportunities | | LOCAL AND NATIONAL NEWS AND EVENTS | | |
Grant Opportunity:
FAA Aircraft Pilots Workforce Development Grant Program
Applications are due June 22, 2026
Approximately $13 million in funding is available through this competitive grant program, with individual awards of up to $1 million. Eligible applicants include colleges and universities, high schools, flight schools, aviation-related nonprofits, air carriers, labor organizations, and state, local, tribal, and territorial governments.
Projects may include:
- UAS and aviation education programs and curriculum development
- Pilot and drone operator recruitment initiatives
- Workforce outreach and career awareness programs
- Military-to-aviation career transition programs
- Flight simulation and training equipment purchases that support educational programming
This funding opportunity is particularly relevant for organizations working to expand access to aviation and autonomous systems careers while helping build the next generation of pilots and drone operators.
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Funding Opportunity: FAA Aviation Maintenance Workforce Grants
The FAA is accepting applications for its FY2026 Aviation Maintenance Technical Workers Workforce Development Grant Program, which aims to expand the pipeline of aviation maintenance professionals across the United States and its territories. Approximately $13 million in funding is available to support programs that recruit, educate, train, and transition individuals into careers in aviation maintenance.
Eligible applicants include educational institutions, aviation nonprofits, repair stations, labor organizations, and state, local, tribal, and territorial governments. Individual awards of up to $1 million are available for projects that strengthen workforce development, career awareness, technical training, and hands-on learning opportunities.
As the aviation and uncrewed systems industries continue to grow, the need for skilled maintenance technicians is increasing.
Organizations supporting aviation maintenance education, workforce development, and technician training programs are encouraged to explore this funding opportunity.
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DoD Funding Opportunities Available for UAS and Autonomous Systems
Following the April 2026 bipartisan SBIR/STTR reauthorization through FY2031, the Department of War is actively running its FY2026 Release 2 Broad Agency Announcement with staggered topic closing through October 2026.
Topics of direct relevant to the UAS community include autonomous systems, AI-enabled mission systems, and UAS traffic management. All submissions go through the Defense SBIR/STTR Innovation Portal (DSIP). The reauthorization removed uncertainty that had been stalling applicants earlier this year.
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Funding Opportunity: LUCAS Component Challenge Seeks UAS Technology Suppliers
The Low-Cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System (LUCAS) Component Challenge is a rolling funding opportunity seeking innovative technologies that can reduce costs and improve performance across key UAS subsystems. Unlike traditional platform development programs, this challenge is focused exclusively on component-level solutions that can be integrated into current and future LUCAS platforms.
Organizations developing dual-use technologies in areas such as autonomy, communications, propulsion, sensors, power systems, manufacturing, and other enabling technologies may be eligible for awards ranging from $500,000 to $5 million. Proposals are reviewed on a rolling basis, with rapid evaluations and down-select decisions typically occurring within 30 to 45 days.
With growing demand for affordable, scalable, and domestically sourced UAS technologies, the challenge presents an opportunity for innovators to support next-generation defense systems while accelerating the transition of commercial technologies into operational use.
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FEMA Expands Counter-UAS Funding to All States and Territories
The FEMA Counter-UAS (C-UAS) Grant Program is set to expand significantly in FY2027, making approximately $250 million in remaining funding available to all 56 states and territories. The program was established to help state, local, tribal, and territorial governments strengthen their ability to detect, identify, track, and, where authorized, mitigate unauthorized drone activity.
In FY2026, FEMA allocated the first $250 million to support security planning and preparedness efforts in 11 FIFA World Cup host states and the National Capital Region. The next funding cycle will broaden eligibility nationwide, creating new opportunities for public safety agencies, emergency management organizations, and government partners to enhance counter-UAS capabilities.
Funding is distributed through State Administrative Agencies (SAAs), with performance periods extending through September 2028. Organizations interested in pursuing C-UAS technologies or supporting government customers should begin engaging with state grant administrators and end users now as planning for FY2027 funding opportunities gets underway.
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Funding Opportunity: Army UAS Marketplace
The U.S. Army's UAS Marketplace Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) remains open indefinitely, providing a pathway for commercial drone and autonomy companies to showcase technologies directly to Army stakeholders.
The opportunity covers a broad range of capabilities, including complete UAS platforms, air vehicles, sensors, payloads, autonomous software, and command-and-control systems. A key feature of the program is its focus on soldier feedback, helping ensure technologies are evaluated based on real-world operational needs.
For companies interested in government opportunities, Blue UAS and Green UAS Cleared List status continue to serve as important compliance benchmarks. Organizations developing trusted, secure, and scalable uncrewed systems are encouraged to explore participation in the Army's ongoing marketplace initiative.
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Important Update for UAS Operators
As FIFA World Cup activities continue across the Pacific Northwest, Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) are in effect around select stadiums, training facilities, and event locations in the Portland and Seattle regions.
Drone operators are encouraged to review active TFRs and NOTAMs before every flight and use tools such as B4UFLY and FAA TFR maps to verify airspace restrictions. Unauthorized operations within a TFR can result in significant fines and enforcement actions.
Example TFRs in the Portland and Seattle Areas
Stay informed, fly responsibly, and help keep our airspace safe and professional.
| | RESOURCES AND INFORMATION | | |
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Join AUVSI at the national level, and then affiliate with the Cascade Chapter
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Log into your profile
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Click on 'Edit Profile'
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Click 'Chapter' on the left navigation and select your chapter from the dropdown list
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Click 'Save' and you’ll see your chapter displayed on the right side of your profile
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AAM Prepared, AUVSI
AUVSI advocacy initiative is supported by Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) industry leaders and manufacturers to help states and localities prepare for the future of advanced air transportation. Learn more about the campaign’s legislative proposals, research, and supporters at auvsi.org/aam-prepared.
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AUVSI Green UAS
EXPEDITED, STREAMLINED VETTING
In partnership with its members and other key industry stakeholders, AUVSI created the Green UAS certification to provide expedited and streamlined vetting of commercial and non-defense drone technologies to support end-users confidence when procuring systems and to bolster the drone and component manufacturing base for secure drone systems. Green UAS Certification builds upon the Blue UAS program to specifically serve the commercial and non-defense drone community with access to the same level of verification and certification for cybersecurity and NDAA supply chain compliance.
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Now included with AUVSI Organizational Membership!
AUVSI’s Uncrewed Systems and Robotics Database is the largest comprehensive and searchable database of all uncrewed vehicles and robotic products operating in the air, ground, and maritime domains.
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Email Lori Brown for a chance to be included in an upcoming newsletter.
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