The US Department of Transportation along with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has unveiled two new unmanned aircraft system (UAS) test sites located in Oklahoma and Indiana. This signifies the first expansion of the program in almost ten years and aims to enhance the development, testing, and evaluation of both public and civilian drones, ensuring their smooth integration into the National Airspace System.
The new test sites, hosted by The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, are designed to facilitate advancements in critical areas such as Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations, autonomous flight capabilities, and multi-drone initiatives. According to Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy, these new facilities will play a vital role in gathering essential data and testing new systems, thereby ensuring that the United States maintains its position at the forefront of drone innovation.
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford echoed these sentiments, highlighting that the new sites would modernize various sectors, including cargo delivery methods and emergency medical transport. The insights gained from these initiatives are expected to inform safety and security standards concerning unmanned aircraft operations.
The announcement aligns with President Donald Trump’s Executive Order aimed at “Unleashing American Drone Dominance,” which focuses on generating high-skilled job opportunities and positioning the US as a leader in unmanned aircraft technology.
The FAA’s UAS Test Site program, initiated in 2013, has been instrumental in the development and scaling of drone technologies nationwide. With the addition of the new Oklahoma and Indiana sites, the program now encompasses nine designated locations, joining previously established centers in Alaska, North Dakota, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Texas, and Virginia.
For instance, the Alaska Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration was pivotal in 2022 when it enabled BVLOS testing for cargo and medical delivery drones, thereby assisting the US Postal Service in its pilot remote delivery initiatives. In New Mexico, the UAS test site supported military and commercial trials involving autonomous inspection systems for critical infrastructure like power lines and pipelines earlier this year. Additionally, Texas A&M’s Corpus Christi Autonomy Research Institute made strides in urban air mobility projects in 2024, which included the first FAA-approved citywide BVLOS flight corridors for package delivery drones. The Northern Plains UAS Test Site in North Dakota also contributed to national security by evaluating counter-drone technologies in 2023.
The establishment of these new test sites marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to ensure that the US remains a key player in the rapidly evolving field of unmanned aircraft systems.
