Drone innovation takes center stage at NCS 2025 B2B event

By Cassidy Mills, Staff Writer

October 10, 2025

 

The National Center for Simulation (NCS)  hosted its annual Business-2-Business (B2B) networking event, Sim, Soar & Sip, at Full Sail University, with this year’s focus on the growing impact of drone technologies, Oct. 1.

 

The event aimed to foster conversation around the impact of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) on simulation, training and national security, while also providing a platform for networking, collaboration and potential partnerships.

 

“I think you will really enjoy the topic and really get some insight into what’s going on in the world of drones,” said George Cheros, NCS chief executive officer. “From national security to commercial innovation, drones are playing a bigger role than ever. Events like this help us all stay ahead of the curve.”

 

This year’s panel discussion, titled Team Orlando’s Drone Impact, was moderated by Neal Finkelstein, Ph.D., NCS chief operating officer. The event featured presentations from panelists and included a live Q&A session.

 

“We’re using drones now for everything from collecting samples from whale blowholes to herding cattle,” Finkelstein said. “We’re even planting crops with drones. The technology is exciting and it’s saving time, money and lives in the process.”

 

Finkelstein noted the rapid growth of drone capabilities, while impressive, also introduces serious concerns for national and global security—from autonomous weapons systems to potential misuse by hostile actors.

 

“Of course, with all this progress also comes risk,” Finkelstein said. “We’ve gone from my first little hobby drone to China’s mothership ‘queen bee’ of drone warfare. It’s a huge, autonomous flying machine that can carry smaller drones, missiles and bombs. These are real challenges for safety, security and regulation.”

 

Panelists included Nathan Ecelbarger, president and CEO of the National Drone Association; Doug Maxwell, modernization solution architect for multi-domain solutions and national security at Leidos; Rosangela Parker, program manager at Plug and Play Tech Center; and Haifa Maamar, executive director of emerging technologies at Full Sail University.

 

Ecelbarger said the National Drone Association’s primary focus is supporting military personnel by providing them with the tools, technology and training necessary to enhance their readiness and safety.

 

“We didn’t start as a lobbying group or a trade association representing any single company; our sole focus is the warfighter,” Ecelbarger said. “We began by observing what was happening in Ukraine and Russia. We must be prepared.”

 

Ecelbarger emphasized the critical role of simulation in training, highlighting how it offers military personnel a safe, controlled environment to practice and refine their skills without the risks associated with live exercises.

 

“What they need is industry support and simulation,” Ecelbarger said. “No one gets the chance to just go out to the field and train with whatever they want every day, so simulation is a critical part of what they require.”

 

Maxwell highlighted the growing challenges associated with managing airspace in today’s complex operational environments. He pointed out that maintaining situational awareness while coordinating multiple restricted operating zones and airspace coordination areas has become increasingly difficult.

 

“Airspace deconfliction is a critical challenge at the moment,” Maxwell said. “It involves maintaining clear situational awareness while effectively managing and coordinating restricted operating zones and airspace coordination areas.”

 

Maxwell pointed to recent examples in conflict zones where open-source technology has played a significant role in modern warfare. He highlighted how adversaries have leveraged affordable drones combined with guidance systems and machine vision software to conduct highly effective, low-cost attacks.

 

“We live in a remarkable time where open-source software is incredibly capable,” Maxwell said. “Using inexpensive drones, open-source guidance and machine vision, they caused more than $500 million in damage. It’s a clear example of asymmetric warfare at scale.”

 

Parker described Plug and Play’s accelerator program, which is designed to support startups developing cutting-edge technologies in fields like smart cities and semiconductors.

 

“Plug and Play’s mission is to accelerate innovation by connecting our corporate partners with startups creating amazing technologies,” Parker said. “We act like an outsourced R&D—sourcing startups, onboarding them and building a plan to help them pilot their solutions and secure investment to scale.”

 

Parker added that collaboration and community-building among startups are fundamental pillars of the accelerator program’s approach. She said the connections formed through these interactions are vital for overcoming challenges and expanding into new markets.

 

“By bringing startup founders together in the same room, they create opportunities for sharing ideas, offering mutual support and building partnerships,” Parker said. “This collaborative environment often leads to innovative solutions and can help startups combine their strengths to accelerate growth and scale more effectively.”

 

Maamar detailed how Full Sail University’s educational programs are carefully designed to align with evolving industry demands. She explained that the curriculum integrates practical skills, cutting-edge technology and real-world applications to prepare students for immediate contributions in their fields.

 

“Emerging technologies cover everything needed in the industry: computer science, AI for computer vision and navigation, simulation engineering, data science and even gaming programs for simulators,” Maamar said.

 

By collaborating closely with industry partners, Maamar noted the university ensures that students gain relevant experience and training that meet current workforce requirements, bridging the gap between academic knowledge and professional practice.

 

“We work closely with industry so we can reverse engineer our programs,” Maamar said. “We start courses every month and can change curriculum quickly, so students get hands-on experience, and the workforce gets the skills the industry needs.”

 

The panel discussion on drone technology represented NCS’s ongoing commitment to support industry growth, promote technological innovation and strengthen collaboration within Central Florida’s modeling and simulation ecosystem.