Flying Drones | by William J. Evans, sUAS Program Manager #

Expanding CAP’s National sUAS Program #

As Civil Air Patrol’s newly appointed small Unmanned Aircraft Systems manager, I want to assure you CAP National Headquarters is working diligently to strengthen its sUAS program.

A U.S. Army veteran and former senior UAS trainer, I assumed the role in August. With more than 15 years of experience operating and teaching unmanned aircraft systems from Raven and Puma platforms to the latest enterprise drones, I bring both operational depth and a vision for the future of CAP’s unmanned aircraft fleet.

Our mission is to make sure every wing has the right tools, training, and support to integrate sUAS into their operations. From disaster response to search and rescue, drones are now a force-multiplier for Civil Air Patrol, and we’re building the infrastructure to sustain that nationwide.

Building a National Program #

The national sUAS team is working to streamline fleet management, standardize technician and pilot training, and introduce new technologies such as thermal imaging, mapping payloads, and AI-enabled flight capabilities. We are also focused on life-cycle management, ensuring older systems are modernized or replaced while new platforms like the Skydio X10D and Wingtra are fielded responsibly.

Supporting the Mission #

Already, CAP sUAS teams have supported missions in disaster assessment, missing person searches, and community outreach. The National Headquarters program is scaling up crew members and mission pilot courses so every wing can sustain operations locally.

This isn’t just about drones, it’s about building readiness. Every crew member we train, every pilot we qualify, directly increases CAP’s ability to respond when communities need us most.

Evans, CAP’s new sUAS program manager, prepares four drones for flight.

Looking Ahead #

The national sUAS team is collaborating with region and wing leadership to align training pipelines, create standardized maintenance procedures, and ensure compliance with Federal Aviation Administration and Department of Defense requirements. A modernization roadmap is underway to guide sUAS procurement and integration into CAP operations through 2025 and beyond.

Civil Air Patrol’s investment in unmanned aircraft systems reflects its commitment to innovation and service. Under this new leadership, the national sUAS program is positioned to become one of the organization’s most dynamic and mission critical capabilities.