“This center will be the only one of its kind in the nation,” Palazzo stated. “It is the result of much hard work and the solid track record of my fellow guardsmen at Camp Shelby. Camp Shelby has hosted more Tactical Unmanned Air System (TUAS) unit mobilizations and sustainment trainings than any other post in the Army.
South Mississippi is emerging as a leader in UAS technology. This center will exponentially increase the value we already have in Hagler Airfield, and the work that is done at Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems’ Unmanned Systems Center in Moss Point.”
The 155th Heavy Brigade Combat Team currently has one of 30 TUAS units that the Army placed in 27 states across the country. The Regional Flight Center will assist with the sustainment training and combat readiness of other ARNG Shadow Tactical UAS platoons. Camp Shelby was selected out of 19 sites that were submitted for consideration, and was chosen because of its ability to initiate operations at the least possible costs in the near-term, as well as its performance record with the current TUAS team. The announcement of the center means Camp Shelby can expect to receive an additional $48 million in UAS equipment in the coming months, for a total of $72 million UAS investment. The Center is expected to be established in late 2012.
Congressman Palazzo also recently visited Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems’ Unmanned Systems Center in Moss Point, which manufactures UAS products for the Fire Scout, Global Hawk, and Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) programs.
Congressman Steve Palazzo Press Release
3/2/12
Magnolia Tribune
