Nicholas Alley

Nicholas Alley is the founder and CEO of Area-I, Inc., an aerospace company specializing in unmanned aerial systems (UAS).12 Here are some key details about Nicholas Alley:

Background and Education

Nicholas Alley received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering with a focus on fluids and flight mechanics from Utah State University in 2006.2 During his time at USU, he:

• Studied under Dr. Warren Phillips, gaining expertise in aerodynamics and flight mechanics
• Was involved in designing and constructing five unmanned aircraft
• Served as chief engineer and faculty advisor for the student-designed USU Wright Flyer project

Career Highlights

• Founded Area-I in 2009 in the Atlanta metro area12
• Grew the company to over 100 employees and secured nearly $100 million in government and private contracts2
• Developed the ALTIUS (Air-Launched, Tube-Integrated, Unmanned System), a key product for Area-I1
• Led Area-I to become a leader in tube-launched unmanned aerial systems1

Company Achievements

Under Alley's leadership, Area-I has:

• Secured contracts with major clients including NASA, U.S. Army, Air Force Research Lab, and Office of Naval Research1
• Developed UAS technologies for the Air Force, Navy, Army, and NASA2
• Gained a reputation for designing highly engineered, mission-specific unmanned aircraft2

In 2021, Area-I was acquired by Anduril Industries, with Alley continuing to lead the company as a wholly owned subsidiary.3

Nicholas Alley's expertise in aerospace engineering and his innovative approach to UAS development have positioned him as a significant figure in the unmanned aerial systems industry.