Oregon is about to make history. From July 26–30, 2026, a high-level delegation of approximately 25 South Korean government officials, industry executives, and research leaders will visit Oregon — and the implications for our state's unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and advanced air mobility (AAM) sectors couldn't be bigger.
At the Oregon UAS Accelerator, we believe this visit represents one of the most significant international opportunities for Oregon's drone and aviation ecosystem in recent memory. Here's what's happening, why it matters, and how you can get involved.
What Is the Oregon–South Korea Aviation Delegation?
The Oregon–South Korea Aviation Delegation is a five-day international engagement running July 26–30, 2026, hosted by Business Oregon and the Oregon Department of Aviation — two of the state's most powerful drivers of economic development and aviation policy. Together, they've assembled an impressive coalition of Oregon industry partners to support the visit, including:
- Oregon UAS Accelerator
- Pendleton UAS Range
- Tillamook UAS
- OMIC R&D
- Aerostar
- Overwatch Imaging
- Port of Tillamook Bay
- Greater Portland
- Green Tech Alliance (GTA)
The South Korean delegation includes representatives from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport (MOLIT), the Korea Institute of Aviation Safety Technology (KIAST), and several of South Korea's leading aviation companies. The delegation will travel across Oregon, visiting aviation and UAS hubs in Portland, Scappoose, Pendleton, Hermiston, Hood River, and Tillamook — each location chosen to showcase Oregon's depth of aviation infrastructure, workforce talent, and innovation capacity. Activities include technical briefings, B2B meetings, manufacturing demonstrations, and tours of key aviation and technology facilities.
Why Oregon? Why Now?
Oregon is not just participating in the future of aviation — it's building it. The state has assembled one of the most compelling aviation and UAS ecosystems in the United States, and this delegation is an opportunity to show the world what we've built.
Oregon's goal is clear: become the premier U.S. launch point for South Korean aviation and adjacent companies. That means demonstrating our statewide airport system, regulatory support, skilled workforce, and — critically — our world-class UAS and AAM testing and manufacturing capabilities. Business Oregon and the Oregon Department of Aviation have been deliberate and strategic in building toward this moment, and the partner companies supporting this delegation represent the very best of what Oregon's aerospace sector has to offer.
South Korea is a global aerospace powerhouse. Its government agencies and private sector companies are actively seeking international partners for testing, manufacturing, and commercializing next-generation aviation technologies. Oregon offers them something unique: a full innovation pipeline, from early-stage R&D all the way to deployment and commercialization.
The Oregon UAS Accelerator's Role in This Moment
The Oregon UAS Accelerator is a Pendleton-based nonprofit whose mission is to make Oregon a national leader in unmanned aircraft, robotics, and advanced air mobility. We work with entrepreneurs, engineers, and industry partners to launch new businesses, create high-wage jobs, and keep Oregon at the forefront of American innovation — and the South Korean delegation visit is a direct validation of that mission.
Pendleton itself is one of the delegation's key stops, home to the Pendleton UAS Range — a national hub for unmanned systems offering over 14,000 square miles of controlled airspace and 33,000 square feet of dedicated innovation space. Alongside partners like OMIC R&D, which provides advanced manufacturing research and workforce development resources, and Tillamook UAS, which expands Oregon's testing and operational footprint to the coast, the Oregon UAS Accelerator forms part of a statewide network that makes Oregon genuinely unique as a UAS destination.
Companies like Aerostar — a leader in stratospheric balloon systems and high-altitude platforms — and Overwatch Imaging — whose AI-powered aerial sensors are transforming how drones see and analyze the world — demonstrate the commercial depth of Oregon's aviation ecosystem. The Port of Tillamook Bay and Greater Portland further underscore Oregon's logistical and economic capacity to support international aviation partnerships at scale.
What This Means for Oregon's UAS and AAM Ecosystem
The stakes of this delegation go well beyond a week of meetings and tours. The long-term opportunity is transformational:
- International investment attraction — South Korean aviation companies seeking U.S. footholds represent significant potential capital and job creation for Oregon communities, especially in rural areas like Pendleton and Hermiston.
- Research and development partnerships — Collaboration with KIAST and MOLIT could open doors to joint R&D initiatives, data sharing, and regulatory alignment between the two countries.
- Commercial pathways for Oregon startups — Oregon UAS Accelerator companies could gain direct access to South Korean markets, supply chains, and distribution networks through the relationships forged during this visit.
- Workforce and talent development — The delegation's focus on workforce development means Oregon's universities, community colleges, and training programs could benefit from international knowledge exchange.
- Aerospace manufacturing growth — Discussions around uncrewed aircraft systems, advanced air mobility, and aerospace manufacturing could translate into new facilities, suppliers, and anchor employers choosing to establish operations in Oregon.
The Event Schedule at a Glance
The delegation spans five days with public-facing events at key locations across Oregon. Here is the confirmed public event schedule:
These events are open for attendance by request — meaning Oregon's aviation community, entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers have a direct opportunity to sit in the same room as South Korea's top aviation minds.
Oregon's Strategic Positioning in Global Aviation
What makes this delegation especially exciting is how perfectly it aligns with Oregon's broader aviation strategy. Business Oregon and the Oregon Department of Aviation have been systematically building the infrastructure, policy environment, and industry partnerships needed to compete on a global stage — and the companies co-hosting this delegation are proof of that commitment.
The Oregon UAS Accelerator is central to that effort — serving as the connective tissue between cutting-edge startups, established industry partners like Aerostar and Overwatch Imaging, government agencies, and academic and research institutions like OMIC R&D. Our partnership with Business Oregon gives the companies we accelerate access to statewide resources, non-dilutive grants, investor connections, and technical support. Those same resources will be on full display for the South Korean delegation.
Oregon also brings a distinct geographic and regulatory advantage. Our controlled airspace at the Pendleton UAS Range, combined with coastal operations through Tillamook UAS, a supportive regulatory environment, and a state government actively engaged in aviation policy, makes Oregon uniquely equipped to support the full technology readiness lifecycle — from early-stage concept testing to full commercial deployment.
How to Attend and Get Involved
The South Korean Aviation Delegation events are open to individuals and organizations by request. If you're an Oregon aviation company, startup, investor, researcher, or economic development professional, this is your opportunity to make connections that could define the next decade of your work.
Here's how to participate:
- Request attendance at OregonUSA.org — the official portal for event participation requests.
- Deadline to apply: July 22, 2026.
- Notifications of acceptance will be sent by July 23, 2026.
For Oregon UAS Accelerator startups, mentors, and alumni — we strongly encourage you to attend the Scappoose showcase and Portland networking reception. These are the kinds of doors that, once opened, can change the trajectory of a company.
Oregon Is Open for Business — on a Global Scale
The Oregon–South Korea Aviation Delegation is more than a diplomatic visit. It is a signal — to South Korean companies, to investors, and to the global aerospace community — that Oregon is serious about becoming the premier destination for next-generation aviation innovation.
Thanks to the leadership of Business Oregon, the Oregon Department of Aviation, and industry partners including the Pendleton UAS Range, Tillamook UAS, OMIC R&D, Aerostar, Overwatch Imaging, Port of Tillamook Bay, Greater Portland, and the Green Tech Alliance, Oregon is showing up on the world stage with a unified, compelling message: we are ready.
At the Oregon UAS Accelerator, we're proud to be part of this moment — and we're here to help Oregon's founders and innovators seize it.
Ready to Be Part of Oregon's Aviation Future?
The Oregon UAS Accelerator supports founders, companies, and partners building the future of unmanned systems and advanced air mobility. Whether you're looking to apply to our next cohort, explore partnership opportunities, or connect with Oregon's aviation ecosystem ahead of the South Korean delegation visit — we want to hear from you.
Connect with the Oregon UAS Accelerator at oregonuas.org →
And don't forget: request your attendance at the delegation events at OregonUSA.org before the July 22 deadline.
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