MITRE Partners with Appalachian Unified Aerospace, Increasing Safety for Hazardous Response Missions
McLean, Va., and Bedford, Mass., February 18, 2026 – MITRE and Appalachian Unified Aerospace (AUA) announced a partnership and technology licensing agreement for MITRE's Hazmat Auxiliary Unit (HAU), advancing homeland security and first responder safety nationwide.
Hazardous materials response teams within fire and police departments manage potential leaks, spills, and other incidents involving dangerous substances to minimize risk to the public. At the outset of a response, teams must secure the scene, assess risks to personnel and the environment, and determine appropriate personal protective equipment. MITRE's HAU enhances these efforts by integrating uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), hazmat sensors, and MITRE-developed software to provide real-time material identification and geospatial tracking in complex environments. The capability enables responders to assess threats before entering a scene, significantly improving operational safety and situational awareness.
This licensing agreement reflects MITRE's commitment to turning mission-driven innovation into real-world impact. As a leader of federally funded research and development centers, MITRE develops and validates solutions like the Hazmat Auxiliary Unit, rapidly prototyping capabilities and reducing risk.
By licensing the HAU to AUA, MITRE moves the technology from prototype to scalable deployment, accelerating delivery to first responders while giving industry a validated foundation for investment. This approach bridges government mission needs with industry execution, in this case strengthening homeland security and public safety at scale.
"At MITRE, our commitment to serving in the public interest drives everything we do. Enhancing first responder safety across local, state, and federal levels is not just a responsibility, it's a privilege. By leveraging innovation and collaboration, we aim to empower those who protect and serve, ensuring they have the tools and support needed to safeguard our communities and protect themselves effectively," stated Yosry Barsoum, MITRE vice president and director of the Center for Securing the Homeland.
Appalachian Unified Aerospace, aligned with Appalachian UAV Academy, out of Milton, West Virginia, serves at the forefront of mission safety and training for members of the public safety community. AUA aligns real-world assignments that first responders face daily to actionable training tactics that allow them to best prepare. AUA and MITRE have been collaborating on mission needs since 2024 and have officially formalized a partnership by licensing the HAU for mass production by AUA.
AUA founder David Crabtree Jr. commented, “As MITRE's newly licensed manufacturing partner, we will begin production of the HAU for public safety agencies at the state and local levels. But our vision doesn't stop there. We see the HAU as a universal sensor platform — a modular, drone-agnostic solution that can be adapted to virtually any sensor a customer needs. Whether it's environmental monitoring, search and rescue, infrastructure inspection, or tactical surveillance, we're building the future of aerial sensing — one drone at a time.”
About MITRE
MITRE's mission-driven teams are dedicated to driving solutions to our nation’s most pressing challenges. As a not-for-profit research and development organization, MITRE's staff leverage our unique multi-sponsor vantage point, systems expertise, and innovative solutions to ensure the health, prosperity, and security of our nation.
About Appalachian Unified Aerospace
Appalachian Unified Aerospace is the manufacturing organization aligned with Appalachian UAV Academy. AUA offers industry-leading training programs designed to prepare students for careers as certified commercial drone pilots. Our comprehensive courses combine in-depth theoretical instruction with hands-on flight experience, ensuring pilots are equipped with the knowledge and confidence to excel in the fast-growing UAS industry.
Media: Sarah Lytle, media@mitre.org