Jay Gundlach

A leading author on UAS design, including the following popular titles: 1) Civil and Commercial Unmanned Aircraft Missions and Systems, AIAA, 2016. Dedicated exclusively to the use of civilian UAS, sometimes called “domestic drones.”, this book is intended to appeal to a broad range of readers, including drone enthusiasts, entrepreneurs and investors, system developers, concerned citizens and policy makers. I highlight several hundred civil and commercial missions and mission variations while presenting UAS system technologies for each mission area. Featured missions include Surveying, Mapping, and Aerial Photography; Agriculture; Forest, Wetlands, and Ecology; Law Enforcement and Public Safety; Emergency Response; Logistics and Transport; Mining and Energy; Scientific Research; Communications; Journalism and Cinematography; Wildlife Management; and Education and Research. (http://arc.aiaa.org/doi/book/10.2514/4.103544) 2) Unmanned Aircraft Systems Innovation at the Naval Research Laboratory, Co-Authored with Richard Foch, AIAA Library of Flight, 480 pages, 2014. This book recounts the previously untold story of unmanned aircraft research and development at NRL’s Vehicle Research Section. A comprehensive history of lessons-learned, the book features more than 100 unmanned aircraft. 3) Designing Unmanned Aircraft Systems: A Comprehensive Approach, 2nd Edition, AIAA Education Series, 805 pages, 2014. Whether for classroom use or self-study, Designing Unmanned Aircraft Systems is the most authoritative and comprehensive single-volume reference available on UAS design. It investigates all elements of the design process, including architectural options and design drivers across diverse system classes. It provides a comprehensive understanding of the end-to-end unmanned aircraft system and a deeper appreciation for the multidisciplinary nature of UAS design. http://arc.aiaa.org/doi/book/10.2514/4.102615

Gundlach Aerospace LLC specializes in aircraft design, Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) technology, fuel-efficient manned aircraft, and product strategy. The company’s goal is to collaboratively develop compelling aerospace systems with industry and government teams. Company capabilities and expertise ensure that system conceptual designs are responsive, innovative, and realistic. Gundlach Aerospace is led by Dr. Jay Gundlach, author of UAS textbooks and a prolific UAS designer.

Managing Director specializing in aerospace and defense investments. Serving as CEO of RapidFlight as a COAC employee.

RapidFlight is accelerating the time from concept to flight while building aircraft systems that meet the demanding challenges, evolving requirements, and tight timelines that are inherent to our national security. Through next-generation manufacturing processes and a team of industry leaders we are ushering in a new era of aircraft engineering. RapidFlight is an integrated end-to-end unmanned aircraft systems provider. We pride ourselves on our ability to aggressively respond to mission requirements and to dramatically reduce the time from concept to mission. Our high-performance systems are designed and engineered to meet the evolving national security and private sector demands of the United States and its allies.

Managing Director specializing in aerospace and defense investments. Serving as CEO of RapidFlight as a Tracker employee.

I led advanced aircraft studies, provided technical business development, successfully led large capture efforts, and served as the Orion Ultra-Long Endurance (ULE) UAS program manager. Notable projects include DARPA Vulture, TERN, and VTOL X-Plane; AFRL Revolutionary Configurations for Energy Efficiency (RCEE) and X-55A studies; NRL Ion Dasch and Titan Flyer studies; Aurora’s Centaur product definition; aircraft-based climate research; and multiple IRAD product development efforts.

I invented and led the development of the Integrator product (now the Navy’s RQ-21A Blackjack STUAS program of record), led the 23-person Advanced Development group, managed IRAD and externally funded research projects, managed the product roadmap, and oversaw the integration of over a dozen payloads into ScanEagle and Integrator. Many of these payloads and systems have experienced hundreds of thousands of operational flight hours.

Conducted Multidisciplinary Design Optimization (MDO) strut-braced wing transport studies with Lockheed’s Advanced Design Group. Calibrated disparate MDO software.

Research focus on Multidisciplinary Design Optimization of advanced transport aircraft and UAS.