A Peraton Field Service Representative provides on-the-job training for the MK 18 MOD 1 unmanned underwater vehicle to Aerographer’s 2nd Class Ryan Gilroy, attached to Commander Task Group 56.1. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tyler Hogman/Released)

Peraton’s emphasis on skills training ensures the long-term effectiveness of UUVs. UUVs are complex, and the training required to safely operate these devices is significant. However, Peraton takes a Sailor-focused approach to training so that, when the Navy is ready, uniformed servicemembers are equipped with the legacy of over two decades of lessons learned to maintain and employ these systems safely and effectively. 

To work toward that goal, the company embeds field service representatives (FSR), into military units using UUV technology. These individuals have between eight and ten years of experience in the development and use of UUV technology and provide hands-on training to Sailors. In effect, these FSRs are training themselves out of a job – and that is exactly the expected result. With this contracting model in place, the company is partnering with the Navy to develop a knowledgeable, well-trained modern military.   

As part of the relationship, there is a near constant information exchange with the Navy about the UUV understanding in real-time how the technology is integrated into the military apparatus. Is the UUV equipped for all scenarios? How will maintenance figure into missions abroad? What should standard operating procedures be in this scenario or that one? The embedded FSRs act as a feedback loop for the program office, in-service engineering agent and schoolhouse, which enables continuous improvement of technology and training to better suit the warfighter.  

This emphasis on skills training and military workforce development is not new to Peraton, given the company’s history in writing curricula for a variety of technologies and delivering that material to the U.S. military. As weapons systems and other tools used by the Armed Forces grow increasingly complex, it is critical that the skill set needed to operate those technologies reside with our servicemembers. As the Commandant of the Marine Corps said at a recent event, “It won’t work if we don’t upgrade the people part.” 

“A well-connected network of platforms, sensors and weapons is central to the future of the Navy,” says Joe Huhman, Peraton’s unmanned systems operating unit director. “This includes systems at the tactical edge, such as UUVs, and we provide solutions that ensure Sailors have the skills necessary to get the best performance out of them.”   

While the phrase “workforce development” is already familiar in civilian and commercial contexts, it is important to also consider uniformed end-users in the service branches. Defense stakeholders increasingly rely on unmanned systems to keep warfighters safe while they encounter new challenges – but the development of innovative new technologies alone can’t achieve this goal if a skills gap remains. Innovation can be the answer, but it is only a complete answer when the appropriate skills training accompanies those innovations. Workforce training and investments in human knowledge is equally as important as investment in advanced systems like UUVs. Peraton wholly embraces this dual approach. 

“At AUVSI, we are proud of our members’ work to help unmanned systems evolve and mature into what is no longer the stuff of science-fiction, but instead the primary tools used by our military to maintain our competitive advantage around the world,” said Brian Wynne, President and CEO of AUVSI. “As the Navy and other branches invest in unmanned systems like UUVs, companies like Peraton are leading the way in developing a trained warfighter workforce and effectively leveraging these tools.” 

The Association is dedicated to advocating for increased job training in every context, especially related to branches of the U.S. military, and our member companies share that focus. The unmanned systems industry is actively engaged in workforce development for all Americans, civilian and defense, and we appreciate the opportunity to spotlight the work Peraton is doing to protect and promote freedom. Stay tuned for more company spotlights related to workforce development, and if you missed our story on TuSimple, read it here.