Blog

CUAV Expo 2026: Building What’s Next for Drone Operations

Written by USI | Sep 23, 2026, 8:16:29 PM

 

We had a blast at Commercial UAV Expo 2026 in Las Vegas this year.

From conversations with customers and industry leaders to sharing what’s next for USI, CUAV gave us the chance to connect with the people who are helping shape the future of drone operations.

Putting OpsLaunch™ Front and Center

One of the biggest focuses for us this year was OpsLaunch™, our framework for helping organizations build aviation-grade drone operations.

As drone programs continue to grow, organizations need more than the technology itself. They need the right people, processes, training, safety practices, and operational structure to build a program that can grow with them. That’s where OpsLaunch comes in.

OpsLaunch™ helps organizations build, manage, and scale safer, more compliant drone operations with confidence. It brings the pieces of a successful drone program together so organizations can move beyond simply owning and operating drones and build an operation that is ready for what comes next.

Learn more about OpsLaunch™

Our First Industry Advisory Board Meeting

CUAV was also a major milestone for USI as we held our first Industry Advisory Board meeting.

We brought together leaders from across UAS, aviation, workforce development, and industry to talk about where the industry is headed and what education and training need to look like to keep up.

This board is about more than having industry names around the table. We want these leaders to challenge our thinking, bring real-world insight, and help us make sure the work we’re doing at USI stays connected to what employers and operators actually need.

We’re beyond excited about what this group will bring to USI and the impact it can have on the broader industry.

Learn more about USI's Advisory Board

Connecting With the People We Serve

We also hosted a happy hour during CUAV, giving us the chance to step away from the show floor and spend time with our customers, partners, and friends in the industry.

These conversations are some of our favorite parts of events like CUAV. They give us the opportunity to hear what organizations are working through, what challenges they’re facing, and where USI can help.

Most importantly, they remind us that the work we’re doing is making a real impact. Every training program we build, every operator we help prepare, and every organization we support is contributing to a safer and stronger future for UAS.

Looking Ahead

CUAV 2026 was a great reminder of just how much is happening across the drone industry and how important it is to keep building for what’s ahead.

We’re proud of what we shared this year, excited about the direction of OpsLaunch, and even more excited about the conversations and partnerships that came out of the event.

With our Industry Advisory Board now officially underway, we’re looking forward to taking what we heard at CUAV and putting it into action. The future of drone operations is moving quickly. We’re excited to be building it together.

Success is in the air.