FAA awards $4.4 million in drone research grants to seven universities
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on April 15 announced $4.4 million in drone research, education and training grants to seven universities. Research will focus on three areas: electromagnetic compatibility, detect and avoid classifications, and cybersecurity oversight. The academic institutions receiving grants are University of North Dakota, University of Kansas, Drexel University, The Ohio State University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Mississippi State University and Oregon State University. This is the second round of Alliance for System Safety of UAS [unmanned aircraft systems] through Research Excellence (ASSURE) grants; research conducted through ASSURE is focused on helping the drone market safely grow and integrate into the nation’s airspace. More than 800,000 recreational and commercial drones (and growing) are in the active drone fleet.