Northrop Grumman Corporation recently held an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Academy at its Autonomous Systems Centre
of Excellence in San Diego, California.

The week-long education and cultural exchange programme provided High School students from Japan and the USA the opportunity to learn about unmanned-system technologies.

The company sponsored six students from schools in Tokyo, Nagasaki and Kyushu, and six students from Westview High School in San Diego.

During the programme, they learned about unmanned vehicles and how to build and fly them, completing various mission scenarios while working together on team-building skills.

They also participated in various cultural-exchange activities.

Om Prakash, chief executive of Northrop Grumman Japan, said: “We all have a responsibility to help inspire the next generation of engineers, scientists and explorers.

“The Academy delivers a unique experience that provides a deeper understanding of UAV technologies, while fostering engagement between Japanese and US students as they learn about each other’s cultures.”

The Northrop Grumman UAV Academy is an extension of the November 2018 World Trade Centre of San Diego trade mission to Japan, which the company also participated in.

As part of the trade mission, Northrop Grumman highlighted its deep history and leadership in autonomy and space with virtual-reality demonstrations of its various unmanned and space systems.

Demonstrations included a Fire Scout unmanned helicopter flying in San Diego and Tokyo environments, a Global Hawk maintenance system and the Polar Eye innovation collaboration with the San Diego Zoo Global.