Maryland is a hub for innovation in uncrewed systems and vehicles, combining cutting-edge research, top defense infrastructure and supportive policy. Our leading facilities and research centers drive rapid drone development and airspace integration. Beyond the skies, Maryland advances self-driving vehicles and robotics, and our access to the Chesapeake Bay and nearby Naval facilities drive innovation in maritime systems. Maryland makes it easy to test, certify, and scale your uncrewed systems business.
#1
Professional and technical workers
Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, American Community Survey; ranking excludes Washington D.C., 2024.
#5
R&D intensity
Source: National Science Board, Science and Engineering Indicators, 2024.
#1
Federal Tech Transfer Facilities
Source: Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer, 2025.
R2C2
Robotics Research Collaboration Campus
R2C2 is a DEVCOM Army Research facility where public, private, and academic organizations work side-by-side to create the next breakthrough in robotics and autonomous systems research. These robotic research partners work together to answer tough questions in the land, air, and cyber domains to create the next generation of autonomous systems. R2C2 offers the facilities and equipment to support a wide range of autonomous and robotics research and data collection. Its partners have access to unique capabilities, such as high-performance computing, a distributed virtual proving ground and restricted air space that allows expanded experimentation.
MATRIX Lab
The Maryland Autonomous Technologies Research Innovation and eXploration
The MATRIX Lab is the University of Maryland‘s state-of-the-art research and education facility dedicated to advancing autonomy and uncrewed systems in partnership with the Department of Defense. It offers specialized resources such as a RF-shielded Open Air-Land Lab for testing air and ground systems, a fluid dynamics tank, an advanced anechoic chamber, and an outdoor robotic vehicle test area. Additional facilities include project assembly and maker spaces, 3D printing and engineering labs, and a small high-speed wind tunnel – making it a unique hub for innovation, collaboration, and hands-on learning.
NASA Goddard
Space Flight Center
At NASA’s Goddard, researchers advance drone technology through cutting-edge R&D that supports science, national priorities, and future aerospace innovation. Goddard engineers design and integrate next-generation sensors and instruments onto uncrewed aircraft to expand Earth observation capabilities beyond what satellites and crewed aircraft can achieve. The center also contributes to autonomy and communications research, working with other NASA facilities on UAS Traffic Management to ensure safe integration of drones into the national airspace.
The Johns Hopkins University IAA
Institute for Assured Autonomy
The IAA leads research, education, and policy development to ensure autonomous systems are safe, secure, and trustworthy. Bringing together experts in technology, ethics, and public policy, the Institute works to integrate autonomy responsibly across sectors. Its mission is to build confidence in autonomous technologies so they can operate reliably and equitably in the real world.
Morgan State University’s NTC
National Transportation Center
Morgan State University’s National Transportation Center (NTC) advances research, education, and innovation to create a safer, more efficient, and equitable transportation system. As one of the nation’s leading university transportation centers, the NTC focuses on sustainable infrastructure, emerging mobility technologies, and workforce development. Through partnerships with government, industry, and academia, the Center helps shape transportation solutions that improve mobility and access for all communities.
Unmatched Uncrewed R&D
Maryland hosts powerhouse institutions that depend on uncrewed systems for defense, intelligence, and scientific research, including the NSA, Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Aberdeen Proving Ground, and NOAA. For companies leading in autonomous technologies, locating in Maryland means more than access to a ready customer base – it places them at the nexus of cutting-edge R&D. Explore Maryland’s premier uncrewed research centers, where innovation drives both scientific discovery and real-world applications.
“For companies building serious defense tech, Maryland checks every box. It is a place where we can move fast and build what matters.”
Chris Devine CEO BlackSea Techologies
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Skilled Workforce
Several Maryland higher education institutions, including The University of Maryland and The University of Maryland, Baltimore County, offer training in robotics, AI, and engineering including. In addition to many engineering programs, Johns Hopkins University offers a professional master’s in Robotics & Autonomous Systems. And, local Community Colleges offer courses and credentials related to uncrewed aircraft systems.
Coasts, inland waterways, bays – Maryland delivers diverse environments for testing both aerial and maritime uncrewed systems under real-world conditions. Maryland is one of the few states with both Chesapeake Bay and ocean access, making it uniquely suited for maritime and aerial testing. The Chesapeake UAS Route Network (CURN), still in planning, will be one of the first organized corridors for beyond visual line of sight testing, connecting airfields and test ranges across the state, providing safe, FAA-recognized pathways for R&D and commercial deployment of UAS technologies. This network will offer a real-world environment to validate aircraft, sensors, and autonomy at scale, accelerating time to market.
