WarrenUAS Tactien partnership – DRONELIFE

Collaboration brings advanced UAS expertise and strategic insight to support WarrenUAS research, training, and program growth
Warren County Community College’s WarrenUAS program, known for its strength in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) training and research, has announced a new partnership with The Tactien Group LLC. The collaboration brings aviation strategy expertise to WarrenUAS and deepens the program’s connections in the commercial and defense UAS sectors.
Industry Expertise Strengthens UAS Program
Nate Ernst, Tactien
The Tactien Group is an aviation advisory firm that works with clients around the world to integrate airborne technology for critical infrastructure projects. Nathan (Nate) A. Ernst, founder and president of Tactien, praised WarrenUAS for its leadership in unmanned systems education.
“WarrenUAS is one of the best institutions in the country for unmanned system training and research, with a very effective strategic plan for staying abreast of the latest developments in this fast-growing industry,” Ernst said.

Dr. Will Austin, president of Warren County Community College, emphasized that this new relationship adds value to an already robust program.
“We have built what I believe is one of the best academic institutions for unmanned systems and now are looking to expand our programming through this relationship with Nate and the Tactien team,” Austin said.
Adding Leading Talent to the Classroom
As part of this collaboration, Ed Celiano, former executive director of the New Jersey Unmanned Aviation Systems Test Site, has joined WarrenUAS. He will serve as a consultant and instructor, focusing on the safe operation of large unmanned systems in the National Airspace System.

Celiano brings years of experience working with complex systems, including those used by the Department of Defense. His arrival enhances the program’s ability to train students in high-demand areas such as large-scale UAS operations.
A Shared Vision for Strategic Development
Tactien’s role in the industry includes helping clients integrate unmanned and manned systems to support infrastructure operations, particularly in the utility sector. Ernst has led UAS deployments involving aircraft weighing up to 300 pounds and managed missions for some of the world’s largest infrastructure projects.
His team includes experts who help clients develop future-ready solutions using the best available airborne technologies.
“We’re strategic assemblers. We help companies and institutions understand UAS for what it really is,” Ernst explained. “Rather than being biased towards one manufacturer or service provider, we provide pragmatic perspectives, not just regarding what technology offers today, but what the industry will offer tomorrow.”
He said that the team’s process includes asking detailed questions about system performance, supplier relationships, and field experience.
Expanding Opportunities for Students and Research
Ernst expressed a particular interest in WarrenUAS’s work in precision agriculture, an area in which the college has developed dedicated departments for training and research.
“There are so many areas where an academic institution like Warren Community College can explore the application of this technology – through research and in the training of its students,” he said. “Graduates will be equipped to enter the many careers that are opening in this industry, or pursue more training, and will understand the latest realities about the technology.”
Tactien’s clients include utility operators, infrastructure manufacturers, aviation service providers, UAS manufacturers, and software firms focused on asset management and predictive analytics.
WarrenUAS: A National Leader in UAS Education
WarrenUAS has built a reputation as a top-tier training program. It operates from two new facilities housing over 100 UAS systems valued at more than $5 million. The program maintains close ties with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and offers students a path to advanced degrees.
Graduates have gone on to careers in drone delivery, inspections, environmental monitoring, entertainment, and precision agriculture—often with starting salaries over $100,000.
WarrenUAS continues to grow, hiring faculty to focus on drone maintenance and agricultural robotics. Plans are also underway to launch a hardware accelerator and technology incubator.
“This partnership is the next logical step for our college’s program,” said Austin. “To work with one of the best firms in the nation conducting large-scale advanced drone operations can only serve to continue to distinguish our graduates from those flying Phantoms in test prep classes.”
“The WarrenUAS program is designed with aviation at its core, and Tactien is one of the leading aviation service providers, successfully integrating unmanned systems technology into its services,” Austin added. “Knowing that our faculty and students will have an opportunity to work with these experts only ensures that WarrenUAS remains a cutting-edge enterprise.”
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry.  Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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