The aviation industry is on the edge of a major shift. Current economic impact studies predict that the industry for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) will gain over $82 billion over the next ten years in the US alone. This growth is expected to create over 100,000 new jobs in the field of unmanned aircraft.                     

Currently, UAS (also commonly referred to as drones) are being used every day throughout the world. While most of these operations are currently military, the applications for this technology are rapidly expanding in the private sector.

At LETU, our goal is for our Unmanned Aircraft Systems students to become effective and exemplary aviation professionals who will become leaders in this new and rapidly expanding industry. We also seek to instill graduates with a sense of Christian vocation and commitment to serving God through their careers. We combine technical expertise with a Christian perspective on the use of technology.

Interesting Classes You'll Take

• UAS Technology and Operations
• UAS Safety and Operations
• UAS Flight Control Systems
  

Minor or Concentration

LeTourneau University offers Unmanned Aircraft Systems as both a minor and a concentration.

What's the difference?

Aviation minors can be combined with any major LeTourneau offers. Compared to the UAS concentration, the UAS minor requires an additional six hours of computer science courses, grounding you in the skills you'll need to work with automation in your drone activity.

Aviation concentrations can only be combined with aviation majors. The UAS concentration is compatible with aviation majors in Aviation Maintenance, Aviation Management, Mission Aviation, and Professional Flight.

What can you do with this degree?

Just a few of the current and expected uses for this technology include:

The applications are endless. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration even currently uses an unmanned aerial vehicle nicknamed the "snot bot" to collect DNA samples from whales via their blowhole spouts. Nearly anywhere a human can't (or shouldn't) go, a UAV can.