FAA Reveals Drone Testing Sites

Stephen Pope

Thursday, January 02, 2014 at 10:59 PM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

The FAA has selected six testing sites across the U.S. (Alaska, Nevada, New York, North Dakota, Texas, Virginia) to integrate unmanned aerial systems (UAS) into the nation's airspace.
These congressionally mandated sites will conduct research into certification and operational requirements for UAS, with a focus on detect-and-avoid technology and autonomous flight capabilities.
The testing locations will be funded by the selected applicants rather than the government, and site operators may charge drone manufacturers for using their restricted airspace for research and testing.

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The FAA on Monday announced six testing sites for unmanned aerial systems (UAS) as part of the agency’s long-term “roadmap” to integrate drones into the nation’s busy airspace.

The testing locations will be set up in Alaska, Nevada, New York, North Dakota, Texas, and Virginia. The FAA plans to open the first site within 180 days, with all six scheduled to start operations in the next few years.