Drone World Expo – Exclusive Board Member Interviews – John “JC” Coffey

Coffey250To find out what inspires their interest in UAS and attracts the Advisory Board Members to support Drone World Expo, we scheduled a series of exclusive interviews. Our ninth interviewee is  John “JC” Coffey Executive Director, Unmanned Systems at Cherokee Nation Technology Portfolio.

In 24 years in the Navy he accumulated 4,500 flight hours in every imaginable plane and helicopter earning an impressive list of medals and honours along the way. He retired from the United States Navy in February 2011. and  joined TriVector Service, Inc. as the Vice President of the Unmanned Systems Division, in support of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Program Office. He is currently the Director, Unmanned Systems for the Cherokee Nation were he established and leads their unmanned program supporting several inter-agency and industry organizations in advancing unmanned systems in worldwide operations.

After a distinguished career flying combat missions with the Navy, you moved to a more peaceful mission supporting NOAA’s UAS Program – was this a difficult transition to make ?  

I was blessed with a thrilling military career as a Naval Aviator and DOD Acquisition Professional finishing at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) where I was flying with and testing next generation systems around the world.  This experience translated very smoothly to supporting NOAA’s UAS Program which is a part of the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research.  While with NRL, we worked very closely with our S&T partners including NASA, NOAA, DHS, and many other organization, so the basic understanding of their requirements and culture made it easier for my to transition.  It has been great!     It has been fascinating to use my military knowledge, experience and training in the civilian world.

Can you tell us something about the Cherokee Nation Technologies involvement with NOAA’s UAS?

Cherokee Nation Technologies provides a full spectrum of unmanned systems expertise, IT services and technology solutions to NOAA and other Government Agencies. We provide UxS and scientific expertise to the NOAA UAS Program including:

  • UxS Program Management
  • Program development
  • Program operations & maintenance
  • Program strategy & roadmaps
  • Proof of concept coordination
  • System engineering – analysis of alternatives
  • Test & evaluation
  • Transitioning to “fully operational capability”

Does your role involve dealing with regulations/flight authorizations or is it more focused on technology and operations?

We have provided both, but our focus here at NOAA has been to support the UAS Program’s vision, “UAS observations will become an essential component of the NOAA observing system.”   With our key roles of serving as the NOAA subject matter experts for UAS technology and observations, and assisting with the research, development, demonstration and transition to application of select UAS observing strategies.  We have also supported several governmental teams with guidance for strategic and program planning, system test & evaluations, system engineering, program transition to operation.

How do you rate the FAA’s approach to integrating UAS operations into the NAS …?  Are they being too cautious ?

The FAA has the herculean task of safely integrate this new technology into the National Air Space.  The use of this technology is inevitable and has been prolific with growth matching that of manned aircraft, cellphones and other game-changing innovations.  As the FAA has reached out to unmanned system expertise, we have been able to provide use cases of safe world-wide UAS operations, UAS reliability data, airspace risk analysis  and thoughtful steps towards the final comprehensive integrated solution.

It seems like there’s a new UAS event every month .  Why did you choose to support Drone World Expo ?

Having been in this industry for decades, I have witnessed the exponential growth of unmanned system utilization and transition of this technology to commercial applications due to affordability and access.   In the past, unmanned systems events were mainly military events, but now cover the full spectrum of operations with new ideas being introduced every day.  These are exciting times!  The Drone World Expo is bringing the world-renown innovators and cutting edge organizations together to solve difficult technological and science problems.  These folks are the verbs of the industry who have made great things happen around the world!

[UAS Vision is an Official Media Partner for Drone World Expo – Ed.]

 

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