Success in the U.S. aerospace market requires meeting stringent standards like AS9100 that can determine whether partnerships with defense contractors and commercial operators succeed or fail. At UAV Propulsion Tech, we offer a distinctive business model: representing advanced international UAV hardware suppliers while providing comprehensive quality management support to ensure our partners meet the demanding requirements of American aerospace customers.
To support that mission, UAV Propulsion Tech collaborates closely with a highly credentialed manufacturing and quality expert, Marnie Schmidt, who brings decades of experience in ISO9001, AS9100, operational excellence, and integrated management systems. Her work strengthens our partnerships, supports advanced aerospace compliance, and helps ensure the UAV technologies we bring to the U.S. market meet the most demanding standards.
Why AS9100 Matters for UAV Hardware Suppliers
The aerospace and defense sector operate under rigorous guidelines like AS9100, the international Quality Management System standard for the aviation, space, and defense (ASD) industries, created by the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG). It builds upon ISO9001 with additional requirements specific to aviation, space, and defense. These include enhanced focus on product safety, reliability, configuration management, risk management, and traceability, factors that are non-negotiable in applications where mission success and safety are paramount.
For UAV component manufacturers, AS9100 certification or demonstrated compliance with its principles is often a prerequisite for even being considered as a supplier to major aerospace companies. A propulsion system, servo, sensor, or autopilot failure during a mission can result in lost assets worth hundreds of thousands of dollars or compromise critical operations.
How UAV Propulsion Tech Combines Technical Expertise with Aerospace Quality Management
UAV Propulsion Tech represents leading global manufacturers of propulsion, avionics, sensor, and other hardware from around the world, including companies such as Suter Industries/CAE GmbH, Plettenberg Elektromotoren, Reventec, Embention, ParaZero, Volz, and more.
Introducing these solutions into the U.S. aerospace ecosystem requires more than just performance data or product innovation. Quality is a key factor in choosing UAV Propulsion Tech’s partners and manufacturers must demonstrate disciplined quality systems, strong process control, and adherence to internationally recognized standards.
Marnie supports visits to the manufacturers to review their manufacturing methods and quality practices. She can work in parallel throughout their growth to improve their quality systems, providing hands-on support rather than merely consulting from a distance.
Marnie’s approach to quality management is always no-nonsense and hands-on. All her solutions are custom-created to meet specific needs and provide the value partners are looking for. Her expertise extends beyond quality management into operations, procurement, sales, and supply chain management. She started her career in the Detroit automotive manufacturing industry, working with small to medium-sized companies. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business, several certifications through the American Society for Quality in management, auditing and metrology, and has experience across diverse manufacturing environments. Furthermore, she is also a six-sigma black belt.
This diverse background helps her understand the operational realities partners face and customize solutions that integrate quality considerations with production efficiency, cost management, and supply chain coordination.
Expert Guidance Grounded in Global Standards Leadership
Marnie Schmidt serves as Chair of the US subcommittee TAG176 SC1 and is an active member at the international level with ISO Technical Committee for Quality management and quality assurance (ISO/TC176), which is responsible for developing and maintaining international quality management and quality assurance standards.
ISO/TC 176 has been a leader in the development of standards in the field of quality management systems and tools since 1979. It leads standardization in the field of quality management, with its members representing approximately 120 countries worldwide. The committee develops standards and tools in the field of quality management through its three subcommittees:
- SC 1 – Concepts and terminology (ISO 9000)
- SC 2 – Quality systems (ISO 9001, ISO 9004, ISO 10005-7)
- SC 3 – Supporting technologies (ISO 10001-4, ISO 10008-18)
Marnie’s direct involvement gives UAV Propulsion Tech’s partners a substantial edge by providing insights and direction that are consistent with the latest international thinking on quality management, continuous improvement, and risk-based operations.
Supporting Partners from ISO9001 Through AS9100
Marnie specializes in helping small and medium-sized businesses develop and implement quality systems compliant with ISO9001, the most widely recognized and used international standard in the world. It is also the basis for most other sector-specific standards such as AS9100, the aerospace quality management system standard.
For this reason, she offers guidance and support to many different types of partners:
- Startups seeking to establish new quality systems from the ground up
- Existing companies pursuing ISO9001 certification
- Organizations upgrading from ISO9001 to the more specific requirements of AS9100 for aerospace applications
Her services include supporting partners to improve their business operations, conducting internal audits, helping obtain certification, supporting root cause analysis to resolve problems, providing training, and offering mentorship for quality staff.
Why This Matters to UAV Propulsion Tech Customers
For UAV Propulsion Tech, this quality-aligned approach ensures that every solution we represent is backed by manufacturers committed to world-class standards. This results in:
- Higher product reliability and mission readiness
- Improved supply chain robustness
- Consistent documentation and traceability
- Reduced integration risk for OEMs
- Confidence for U.S. aerospace and defense procurement teams
In an industry where failures can cost missions, assets, or long-term program trust, quality is not optional, it is foundational.
A Commitment to Excellence Across the UAV Ecosystem
The UAV Propulsion Tech model reflects a fundamental understanding: sustainable success in the US aerospace market requires both exceptional technology and robust quality systems. Bob Schmidt brings deep technical knowledge, industry connections, and market access. Marnie Schmidt brings world-class quality management expertise and international standards development experience.
Together, they provide international UAV technology companies with a comprehensive pathway to the US market, one that addresses both the technical requirements and the quality management expectations that aerospace customers demand.
For UAV manufacturers, integrators, and developers seeking proven global technologies that improve performance, reliability, and mission success, UAV Propulsion Tech offers not just components but a partnership approach that supports quality excellence from manufacturing floor to mission execution.
To know more information about UAV Propulsion Tech’s partners or quality management services, contact Bob Schmidt at bob@uavpropulsiontech.com or visit www.uavpropulsiontech.com