STEM Career Advancement Takes Center Stage: Embracing Lifelong Learning

A series of subsystem upgrades – known collectively as the “Havoc” configuration – has doubled the flight endurance and payload capacity of the base VXE30 Stalker system.

San Luis Obispo, CA – May 6, 2024 – Edge Autonomy, a leading provider of uncrewed autonomous systems, announced today a major performance enhancement to the field-proven VXE30 Stalker UAS. Through a series of subsystem upgrades – known collectively as the “Havoc” configuration – Edge Autonomy has doubled the flight endurance and payload capacity of the base VXE30 Stalker system, closing the gap between the capabilities of small UAS and large UAS.

“We have been evolving the Stalker series for nearly two decades, and the VXE30 is the product of intense mission-focused innovation to meet the real needs of our customers,” said Joshua Stinson, Chief Growth Officer for Edge Autonomy. “The Havoc configuration builds on years of deployed operations and direct user feedback accumulated over more than 100,000 flight hours across six continents to provide the warfighter with an unparalleled system that is ready for use on the battlefield.” 

“Our goal was to provide a single, highly flexible UAS that could meet the needs of a wide range of operational units, from the company level to the brigade,” said Allen Gardner, CTO of Edge Autonomy. “By upgrading key subsystems on the VXE30, we can provide a solution that is light and mobile enough for small forward-deployed units while also able to hit the payload capacity, range, and endurance numbers of the higher echelons – all with the field-proven, silent, VTOL configuration UAS that our customers have relied on for years.”

With the flexibility and adaptability to host a wide variety of configurations – all without wasting time and budget on reconfiguring the airframe itself – the Havoc not only meets the demanding mission challenges faced by today’s uncrewed aerial systems but anticipates potential issues facing the battlefields of the future.

Current VXE30 operators require no additional training in order to operate the Havoc configuration, and all user interfaces remain unchanged between the various configurations of VXE30. The system      remains payload agnostic and is prepped for third party integrations through a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) frequently utilized by customers to integrate new payloads and subsystems without the need for Edge Autonomy support.

“Edge Autonomy is committed to meeting the changing needs of the warfighters we support, and we are excited to see what they will accomplish with the Havoc” said John Purvis, CEO of Edge Autonomy. “We built a system that would be easily reconfigurable, giving operators equipment to meet the growing mission demands they are facing now and in the future.” 

About Edge Autonomy

Edge Autonomy is a leader in providing innovative autonomous systems, advanced optics, and resilient energy solutions to the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Federal Civilian Agencies, allied governments, academic institutions, and commercial entities. We believe that innovation – in all forms, from all sources, and at all stages of development – creates solutions that enable mission success. Our uncrewed technologies are used in nearly 80 countries by government, commercial, and academic customers.

Edge Autonomy has a team of 600 employees and draws on nearly four decades of proven aerospace engineering, manufacturing expertise, and advanced technology. With headquarters in San Luis Obispo, CA and nearly 300,000 square feet of manufacturing and production capabilities across the U.S. and abroad, Edge Autonomy’s experienced team delivers mission-focused results around the world.

Media Contact

Susan Hoffman

Senior Director, Marketing and Communications

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571-305-0442

Spotlight on Continuing Education and Career Opportunities

Careers and education in STEM fields have come into sharper focus in recent years, with employment in STEM occupations growing 79% since 19901. Additionally, the number of STEM jobs is projected to grow 8% through 2029—a higher rate than non-STEM jobs—with positions in computing, engineering, and advanced manufacturing leading the way2.

While many STEM initiatives are concentrated on the next generation of scientists, engineers, and mathematicians, it is also important to foster engagement with individuals who are looking to change careers or take steps to upskill through education and training. With an estimated 3.5 million STEM jobs that will need to be filled in the United States by 20253, encouraging STEM growth within the existing workforce is just as important as encouraging young scholars.

Community Involvement

Headquartered in San Luis Obispo, California, Edge Autonomy not only puts a high priority on building state-of-the-art small unmanned aerial systems (SUAS), but also on fostering career growth within the company and within the community. We have an active partnership with SLO Partners, an economic development initiative of the San Luis Obispo County Office of Education. By working with local employers and those within the community who want to change their career trajectory, SLO Partners designs specific fast-tracked bootcamp training programs to teach in-demand skills. Through this model, employees and local companies are able to grow together, benefiting the community and the overall health of the local STEM arena.

At a recent Modern Manufacturing bootcamp, Edge Autonomy employees were able to address students at SLO Partners about the innovative work the company does and the exciting opportunities we have in San Luis Obispo. Liam Limon, an alumnus of the SLO Partners boot camp program and Electronics Production Supervisor for Edge Autonomy, helped to lead the eight-week program as students built and flew quad copter drones.

“I connected with Edge Autonomy because of their work with SLO Partners,” said Liam. “When I went through the boot camp they brought in a VXE-30 aircraft and assembled it in the class. When the course ended I got in touch with the company about local electronics positions and have been with Edge Autonomy ever since.”

Eileen Faley, Senior HR Generalist with Edge Autonomy in San Luis Obispo, presented students with additional information about the company and the work we do across production, engineering, and manufacturing.

“Choosing a career in a STEM field can be a transformative decision with many benefits,” said Eileen. “These are high-demand jobs both within Edge Autonomy and throughout the industry as a whole. I’ve found that these students are interested in continual intellectual and personal growth, and I really enjoy working with them as they learn about emerging technologies and opportunities.”

STEM educators play a crucial role in nurturing our nation’s innovators, thinkers, and leaders, and Edge Autonomy employees are paying it forward through their work with SLO Partners. By actively encouraging and supporting those pursuing STEM fields, continuing education unlocks potential, ignites curiosity, and empowers a brighter future.

“I am always interested in meeting people who are interested in the same things I’m interested in, and it’s been really rewarding to talk to the students at SLO Partners,” said Liam. “I get to share my knowledge. I really enjoy teaching people and passing along the knowledge I’ve gained to help them as they further their careers.”

Paula Mathias-Fryer, Senior Director of SLO Partners, has seen a great benefit in giving local residents new skills to help place them in ever-evolving industries.

“Upskilling can expand skills to address gaps and build talent,” said Paula. “Developing advanced skills can also help the local economy as residents and businesses thrive together. We have seen a 30% average salary increase for employees after completing our program, and the companies we partner with develop a more robust and diverse talent pipeline with local, pre-vetted workers.”

STEM is an ongoing journey of discovery and lifelong learning. As long as we prioritize actively supporting continuing education, mentoring aspiring learners, and creating opportunities to thrive in these fields we will continue to see innovation and growth.

1 https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2018/01/09/diversity-in-the-stem-workforce-varies-widely-across-jobs/#:~:text=Since%201990%20STEM%20employment%20has,have%20grown%20more%20than%20others.

2 https://www.bls.gov/opub/btn/volume-10/why-computer-occupations-are-behind-strong-stem-employment-growth.htm#:~:text=The%20U.S.%20Bureau%20of%20Labor,3.7%20percent%20for%20all%20occupations.

3 https://www.shrm.org/hr-today/news/hr-magazine/summer2019/pages/the-u.s.-needs-to-prepare-workers-for-stem-jobs.aspx

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