Northrop Global Hawk UAS US Federal Aviation Administration announced its selection of six research and test site operators for unmann...
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| Northrop Global Hawk UAS |
US Federal Aviation Administration announced its selection of six research and test site operators for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) across United States after a 10 month long selection process.
FAA considered the geography, climate, location of ground infrastructure, research needs, airspace use, safety, aviation experience and risk in the selection process. These six test applications achieve cross-country geographic and climatic diversity.
The site operators and the research they will conduct are:
The University of Alaska proposal contained a diverse set of test site range locations in seven climatic zones as well as geographic diversity with test site range locations in Hawaii and Oregon. The research plan includes the development of a set of standards for unmanned aircraft categories, state monitoring and navigation. Alaska also plans to work on safety standards for UAS operations.
Nevada’s project objectives concentrate on UAS standards and operations as well as operator standards and certification requirements. The applicant’s research will also include a concentrated look at how air traffic control procedures will evolve with the introduction of UAS into the civil environment and how these aircraft will be integrated with NextGen. Nevada’s selection contributes to geographic and climatic diversity.
New York’s Griffiss International Airport.
Griffiss International plans to work on developing test and evaluation as well as verification and validation processes under FAA safety oversight. The applicant also plans to focus its research on sense and avoid capabilities for UAS and its sites will aid in researching the complexities of integrating UAS into the congested, northeast airspace.
- North Dakota Department of Commerce.
North Dakota plans to develop UAS airworthiness essential data and validate high reliability link technology. This applicant will also conduct human factors research. North Dakota’s application was the only one to offer a test range in the Temperate (continental) climate zone and included a variety of different airspace which will benefit multiple users.
- Texas University – Corpus Christi.
Texas university plans to develop system safety requirements for UAS vehicles and operations with a goal of protocols and procedures for airworthiness testing. The selection of Texas A&M contributes to geographic and climactic diversity.
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech).
Virginia Tech plans to conduct UAS failure mode testing and identify and evaluate operational and technical risks areas. This proposal includes test site range locations in both Virginia and New Jersey.
Under the current law, test site operations will continue until at least February 13, 2017.
For more information visit http://www.faa.gov/about/initiatives/uas/.
