The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) announced a series of steps Aug. 2 to expand the federal government’s use of and support for unmanned aircraft systems.
The U.S. Department of the Interior, which has already flown UAS to monitor wildlife, perform archeological studies and fight wildfires, will build on that activity by prototyping and fielding new sensors and speeding up the processing of UAS-collected data, OSTP said. The department also will set up a program to train first responders to use UAS for search-and-rescue missions.
The National Science Foundation will receive $35 million over the next five years to conduct research on “how to intelligently and effectively design, control and apply UAS to beneficial applications,” such as inspecting infrastructure and preventing bird strikes at airports, OSTP said. NASA will begin a new research effort to inform the development of standards for detect-and-avoid and command-and-control technologies.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will begin using UAS to collect precise gravity measurements, supplementing data collected by manned aircraft. NOAA also will study how to incorporate UAS onto its ships.
“Effective shipboard UAS operations will significantly expand observational capabilities for critical weather, air quality and ocean monitoring, and management of marine resources, including endangered species,” OSTP said.
The U.S. Postal Service’s Office of Inspector General plans to publish results of a study on the public’s view of mail delivery by drones.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) continues to draft regulations for safely integrating UAS into the national airspace. By winter, the agency plans to unveil a proposed rule for operating small UAS over people. The FAA also will work with industry representatives to charter a team to study UAS safety issues and develop “non-regulatory interventions.”
The OSTP announcement also highlighted a host of new efforts by non-federal entities to support the growth of the UAS industry. New York state, for instance, has committed $5 million to help create a hub for UAS innovation and manufacturing in the upstate region. The Northern Plains UAS Test Site in North Dakota plans to conduct beyond-visual-line-of-sight UAS flights. And Zipline International intends to demonstrate the viability of using UAS to deliver life-saving medical supplies to remote communities.