Reliable Robotics appoints UAS integration vice president

Reliable Robotics has appointed Brandon Suarez to the newly created role of vice president of uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) integration.

Instrument-rated commercial pilot Suarez will drive the development and adoption of technical standards and global aviation policy for the company.

He will focus on defining key aspects of the development roadmap, including airspace integration and international operational approval. He will also support the company’s product strategy plans and future aircraft programmes.

“Brandon is uniquely qualified to understand and help solve immediate challenges while also contributing to the longer-term vision of the company,” said Robert Rose, co-founder and chief executive at Reliable Robotics. “He brings a mix of conceptual, policy and technical expertise and maintains deep engagement with standards bodies, trade associations and government agencies.”

Prior to joining Reliable, Suarez was the technical director for UAS Civil Airspace Integration at General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, where he led the company’s efforts to safely integrate Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) into domestic, foreign and international airspace. He also led a collaborative team of experts from the FAA, NASA, and several industry partners to bring together the technology needed for a Detect and Avoid (DAA) system on a Predator B RPAS.

Suarez is a co-chair of the Aerospace Industry Association’s Advanced Air Mobility Subcommittee where he focuses on bringing together diverse segments of the industry to advocate for common policies. He is an active advisor to the International Civil Aviation Organization, where he is working to make RPAS a normal part of the global aviation ecosystem.

Additionally, Suarez serves as co-chairman of RTCA Special Committee 228, which has developed FAA-recognised standards for DAA systems and UAS datalinks. He is also actively involved in several NASA research activities seeking to advance future concepts such as Digital Flight and multi-aircraft control.

“Automating aviation and making it accessible to more people has been a personal mission for over a decade,” said Suarez. “I’m very excited to work with this incredible team, making the future of aviation safer and more available for everyone.”

In May, Reliable Robotics appointed Kevin Sagis as senior vice president and chief engineer.

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