Berry Aviation Forms UAS Research Group; Stan Finch Quoted

San Marcos, Texas-based Berry Aviation has opened a new division in Stillwater, Oklahoma, that is focused on conducting research into unmanned aerial systems to support the Department of Defense in the areas of propulsion, navigation and acoustic improvements.

The company’s newly created autonomous and unmanned aviation division has hired additional engineers to support work related to UAS and counter-UAS activities, Berry Aviation said Thursday.

Stan Finch, president of Berry Aviation, said academic partnerships, internships and job openings could be created in the state because of the new business line.

"This uniquely allows Berry to better serve our DOD customer base in mission areas such as Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), and other innovative research and development avenues, including optionally manned aircraft,” Finch added.

Established in 1983, Berry Aviation is a portfolio company of Acorn Growth Companies and provides specialty aviation platforms for aerial delivery, cargo and passenger transport, night vision goggle, ISR, UAS, training and medical evacuation. The company annually performs 14,000 global flight and ground operations in support of customers, including DOD.