Funding supports 19 projects focused on detect-and-avoid, BVLOS communications, drone traffic management, identity verification and other technologies for UAS integration The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded $12 million for 19 drone research and testing projects. The projects aim to support the safe expansion of drone operations in the National Airspace System … [Read more...] about FAA Awards $12 Million for Drone Research and Testing
National Airspace System
Northern Plains UAS Test Site Flies Medical and Agricultural BVLOS Demos on Vantis at NASAO
State aviation officials watched live flights at Gorman Field as CVS Health, Kelly Hills Unmanned, SkyfireAI and Thales demonstrated medical logistics and agricultural applications on North Dakota's statewide BVLOS network. The Northern Plains UAS Test Site (NPUASTS) hosted live flight demonstrations on the Vantis UAS system on September 16, 2026. The flights took place at … [Read more...] about Northern Plains UAS Test Site Flies Medical and Agricultural BVLOS Demos on Vantis at NASAO
Scaling Drone Operations Will Require More Than Part 108
FAA officials at Commercial UAV Expo discussed how regulation, information sharing, airspace modernization and security must work together as advanced aviation scales As the FAA works toward a regulatory framework for routine beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone operations, the challenge goes beyond determining who can fly and under what conditions. At Commercial UAV … [Read more...] about Scaling Drone Operations Will Require More Than Part 108
Thales, Kelly Hills Launch BVLOS Drone Network for Kansas Farms
The Kansas Department of Agriculture partner will run crop spraying, scouting, fertilizing and seeding beyond visual line of sight, following the model of Thales's North Dakota Vantis deployment. Thales and Kelly Hills Unmanned Systems will deploy a beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone network in Kansas. The network will support agricultural operations. The two companies … [Read more...] about Thales, Kelly Hills Launch BVLOS Drone Network for Kansas Farms
FAA NextGen Fact Sheet Points to Future Integration of Drones and New Aircraft
FAA says major NextGen systems are operational as it begins looking toward the next phase of airspace modernization The Federal Aviation Administration released a new NextGen fact sheet on August 17, outlining changes to the National Airspace System [NAS] and plans for continued modernization. The Next Generation Air Transportation System, known as NextGen, has transformed … [Read more...] about FAA NextGen Fact Sheet Points to Future Integration of Drones and New Aircraft
