The Mid-America Science Park recently hosted the second annual Mid-America Defense Conference which was presented by the National Center for Complex Operations (NCCO) and Indiana State University. The event showcased the use of unmanned systems in national security, first response and many other applications.
Senior-level government and military officials, industry leaders and academic partners from several states came together in Scottsburg to discuss the future of this dynamic growth sector. Speakers included Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann, Mr. Duane Embree, executive director of the Indiana Office of Defense Development and Mr. John Hill, director of the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.
Conference participants learned about emerging and future unmanned systems strategies and applications, and ways the government, academia and industry are working together. Attendees were also invited to tour MASP’s business incubators, meeting space and military secure rooms which were designed specifically for U.S. Department of Defense contractors.
“Unmanned systems are having a profound impact around the world well beyond national security,” said Matt Konkler, NCCO executive director. “We are seeing applications in law enforcement, disaster response, Homeland Security, weather forecasting and precision agriculture.”
Another focus of the conference was the proximity of Southern Indiana and Scott County to several major military installations. A central location and the NCCO’s focus on serving the defense industry mean economic growth potential for the region.
Konkler says Indiana lawmakers and industry leaders are focusing on high tech development with a goal of growing Indiana’s defense business. “Spending in the unmanned systems industry is expected to skyrocket in the next decade to upwards of $95 billion,” said Konkler. “If the region can garner even a small percentage of this total, it will mean new businesses and hundreds of jobs.”
