PINEY POINT, Md. — Offshore Aviation Group (OAG) and the University of Maryland (UMD) today announced a partnership on the development of the multi-domain unmanned systems center OAG is developing in St. Mary's County.
The collaboration will create a unique environment for research, testing, and experimentation across land, air, sea, and space domains, bridging academic innovation with real-world operational capability.
The OAG/UMD partnership is a watershed moment for St. Mary’s County Maryland. Through cooperative use, sponsored research, and collaborative development frameworks, the partnership will support millions of dollars of applied research, workforce development, and the rapid transition of emerging technologies from concept to fielded capability.
This partnership is an impactful contribution to the aerospace and defense field, which Governor Wes Moore has deemed one of his"lighthouse" industries, along with life sciences and information technology. Lighthouse industries are areas that the state of Maryland has determined to be good investments for innovation, job creation, and long-term economic growth.
“OAG is committed to partnering with Federal, State and Local officials to accelerate innovation while supporting education and national priorities,” said Robert Hicks, CEO of Offshore Aviation Group. “By including the University of Maryland, we are ensuring that the State of Maryland is recognized as the unique place where students and faculty can collaborate with industry and government entities in a multi-domain environment that is unique to our state.”
UMD will bring world-class engineering, autonomy, and research programs to the Piney Point site, enabling student and faculty engagement through hands-on projects, capstone efforts, internships, and field demonstrations.
Importantly, OAG does not plan to develop the 320-acreindustrial site as a commercial airport which has eased the concerns of neighbors. It will re-open as a private-airfield, with aviation activities managed to support government programs, aviation research, testing, demonstration, and mission-specific operations directly related to the future technology for manned, unmanned and autonomous systems.
“This collaboration exemplifies how universities and industry can work together to translate research into impact,” said Dr. Donald Costello. “Piney Point will serve as foundation for interdisciplinary research, talent development, and technology transition that benefits the region and the nation.”
Development of the OAG unmanned systems center will proceed in phases, with ongoing coordination among local, state, and federal stakeholders.
Media Contact:
Joe Fischinger
CFO/GC
Offshore Aviation Group
Email: joe.fischinger@offshoreaviation.com
Phone: (855) 243-3200
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