Northern Arizona University

HIGH FLYING

Arizona is engaged to become unmanned aircraft system test site

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he Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) is leading the effort to encourage the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to locate one of the six U.S. unmanned aircraft system testing sites in Arizona.

The aircraft systems commonly known as UASs are already being used on a test basis by both domestic and foreign law enforcement, but will soon have widespread applications for agriculture, forest management, atmospheric research, and wildlife management. In addition, civilian authorities will require assurance of the safety and reliability of UAS before they allow unmanned aircraft vehicles (UAVs) to operate widely in civilian airspace. Comprehensive testing is a key strategy in assuring safety and reliability. Seeing the important economic contributors this sector has—and will continue to have—in Arizona and around the globe, the ACA has engaged a team of experts in this fi eld and is working on a collab orative strategy to encourage the FAA to select Arizona for one of the sites.

Right Place

Among the many messages the ACA is taking to Washington, DC:

Arizona is already the de-facto leader in UAS testing. Fort Huachuca is the largest UAS training center in the world and has already certifi ed more than 10,000 UAS operators. Expanding on this success in the military sector to the civilian sector is a natural progression. Arizona already has a strong UAS testing culture, and the specialized knowledge and skill required are already available in our state.

Arizona’s climate is perfect for maximizing return on investment in a UAS test site. UAS is more than just planes, as the system includes signifi cant infrastructure (e.g., ground control). The state provides more than 350 days of suitable fl ying weather annually. Arizona’s high number of fl ying days means the infrastructure investment can be spread over many more testing hours than other potential sites, maximizing the return. Arizona’s proposed options for an FAA site are close to current Department of Defense UAS operations. Much of the civilian UAS technology originates in the military sector, so physical proximity is a large benefi t. Also, the specialized skills for constructing and maintaining UAS facilities have already been acquired and perfected by many of the contractors who operate in Arizona.

Arizona already hosts numerous large aerospace defense contractors. Many of these contractors have active civilian UAS initiatives. Locating the test site in the state makes it easier to leverage this existing expertise. In addition to large contractors, Arizona has more than 1,300 companies in the aerospace supply chain. These companies form an ideal supplier base for the proposed UAS testing center.

Winning one of the six UAS testing designations requires close cooperation between local stakeholders, research and development resources, and Arizona’s congressional delegation. The ACA is working hand in hand with all of these groups to ensure Arizona is represented and given serious consideration for this important designation.