Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International

Lore & Background

AUVSI was the brainchild of a group of U.S. Air Force officers, inspired by the use of target drones as reconnaissance assets during the Vietnam War. Established in Dayton, Ohio, in 1972, the organization was originally known as the National Association of Remotely Piloted Vehicles (NARPV). In 1974, Ohio's Wright Kettering Chapter hosted the organization's first national symposium. By the late 1970s, RPVs were being called Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs), and recognition of growing developments in ground, maritime, and space arenas caused the organization to broaden its reach. In 1978, the NARPV expanded its focus and services to create a community inclusive of all unmanned systems disciplines and changed its name to the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems (AUVS). In 1982, the headquarters moved from Dayton to Washington, DC. Through the 1980s and 1990s, AUVSI mirrored the fast pace of growth of the worldwide unmanned systems industry. In 1996, the AUVS became the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) to reflect the true scope of the organization. By 2003, AUVSI's global activities led to the creation of the International Opportunities Program (IOP), a campaign to raise awareness of AUVSI, increase member services, and strengthen the worldwide network of the unmanned systems industry.

Reader's Guide

AUVSI's significance lies in its role as the world's largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to uncrewed systems, autonomy, and robotics. It serves as an influential advocacy organization, advocating for policies that support innovation and the safe integration of these technologies. Its membership includes over 400 leading organizations and 7,000 professionals across defense, civil, and commercial markets, operating in air, ground, maritime, space, and cybersecurity domains. The organization's mission is to drive the uncrewed systems industry's growth and solve industry's challenges by addressing points of friction, uniting innovators, manufacturers, operators, and stakeholders to share knowledge, create market opportunities, and advocate for effective policies. Its legacy includes evolving from a U.S.-focused group of Air Force officers inspired by Vietnam War drone use to a global entity, as reflected in its name changes from NARPV to AUVS in 1978 and to AUVSI in 1996. The creation of the International Opportunities Program in 2003 further cemented its global commitment to the growth, long-term viability, and stability of the uncrewed systems industry.

Did You Know?

• AUVSI was originally founded in 1972 as the National Association of Remotely Piloted Vehicles (NARPV) in Dayton, Ohio.
• In 1996, the name changed again to the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) to reflect its global scope.
• AUVSI's International Opportunities Program (IOP) was created in 2003 to raise awareness and strengthen the worldwide network of the unmanned systems industry.