Brian Riskas

Brian has over 18 years of experience in the design of electromechanical systems for aerospace, defense, and industrial robotic applications for NASA, Raytheon, Draper Laboratory, the US Army and other private aerospace and technology companies. He was involved in the qualification program adapting advanced Missile Defense Agency propulsion systems for low-cost commercial spaceflight programs, as well as the control actuator system design for small, spin stabilized 40mm munitions. He was responsible for system integration of an advanced prototype non-GPS Precision Navigation and Timing (PN&T) system for the AC130 gunship. He successfully designed, built, and flew an advanced optical navigation sensor for the U2 program in 2021. He oversaw the testing and qualification of the LIFE module, which flew in 2012. Brian has also designed a family of self-propelled, 30”-36” diameter free swimming robotic inspection tools for oil and gas pipelines that have been successfully deployed in four countries throughout Europe. He is the chief engineer and creator of the ATLAS legged technology demonstrator (All Terrain legged Ambulatory System) and the AFSV walking vehicle (Autonomous Field Supply Vehicle) for the US Army (the largest legged robot ever built). He holds 8 patents relating to robotics and space mechanisms, with 4 more currently pending. As the President of RMD, he oversees the manufacture and delivery of RMD’s unmanned vehicle product lines, as well as engaging in business development efforts to grow RMD’s customer base in the aerospace and defense sectors.