Boeing-owned uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) manufacturer Insitu announced on 12 December 2024 that it has opened its new UAS Center of Excellence (COE) at Tawazun Industrial Park in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The state-of-the-art facility will localise UAS maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) work, training, and other essential services for the UAE Armed Forces. In doing so Insitu’s UAS COE will create value by reducing the cost, complexity and turnaround time for activities that were previously performed overseas. It will also generate employment opportunities for a skilled workforce and facilitate the participation of local suppliers in the value chain.
“We’re thrilled to open the UAS Center of Excellence in Abu Dhabi,” Insitu President and CEO Diane Rose was quoted as saying in a company press release. “This new facility will strengthen our partnership with the Tawazun Council, enhance the support we provide and create frequent opportunities for collaborating with other Emirati companies across the defence ecosystem.”
Majed Al Shamsi, director of economic programmes at the Tawazun Council, added: “This centre represents a bold step forward, offering a space where cutting-edge unmanned systems technology will take shape. It aligns seamlessly with our national vision, championed by the leadership of the UAE, to position our nation as a global leader in advanced industries. Through this partnership, supported by the Tawazun Council and the Ministry of Defence, we are paving the way for a future defined by technological breakthroughs and enriched by shared expertise.”
Insitu is known for its family of runway-independent, long-endurance UASs, including the ScanEagle, Integrator and Integrator Extended Range.
