Daniel Beck

Background

About Daniel Beck

Aerospace and defense leader with over 26 years of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) experience, including 25 years specializing in airworthiness. Currently serve as the Airworthiness Manager for Griffon Aerospace, where I lead all airworthiness and compliance efforts across multiple UAS platforms, including the Group 3 VTOL Valiant, Arrowhead, Redwing, and Outlaw aircraft. At Griffon, I developed and implemented the company’s internal airworthiness framework aligned with Army AQP/AQS standards and STANAG 4703, directed multidisciplinary teams in system safety, propulsion, software, and structural qualification, and supported proposal efforts and strategic engagements with government and congressional stakeholders. Previously served as Division Chief, Unmanned Aircraft Airworthiness for the U.S. Army Aviation Missile Center (AvMC) Systems Readiness Directorate (SRD) at Redstone Arsenal, responsible for the airworthiness certification of all Army UAS. Held delegated airworthiness signature authority for SOCOM and JSOC UAS by the AMCOM two-star general. Possess 8 years of experience working closely with all tiers of UAS Special Operation Forces within SOCOM. Signature authority for the Army CLEAR AWR and led efforts for the Army’s first Level 2 AWR and the general AWR for small UAS. Chairman for the development and ratification of NATO UAS airworthiness standards, working with multinational teams from 15 countries. Extensive experience collaborating with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to ensure compliance with UAS regulations. Managed a large team of government and contractor employees. Adept at risk management, policy development, and integrating emerging UAS technologies into military and national airspace. An experienced professional external pilot and FPV drone pilot, with expertise in fixed-wing and multi-rotor aircraft. Actively builds drones as a hobby and holds an FAA Private Pilot Rating for Gliders.