The GPS Innovation Alliance has issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s recent announcement that it had selected 10 teams led by state, local and tribal governments to participate in the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Integration Pilot Program (IPP), which will explore the further integration of drone operations.
“It is very encouraging that this effort is up and running and that participants have been selected,” said J. David Grossman, executive director of the GPS Innovation Alliance. “GPS is an integral component in the emerging area of unmanned aircraft systems, including drones. Further research into their potential will ensure untold opportunities for a variety of sectors including, but not limited to, those identified in the Transportation Department’s announcement: commerce; photography; emergency management; public safety; precision agriculture and infrastructure inspections.”
Last month U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao announced that USDOT had selected 10 state, local and tribal governments as participants in the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Integration Pilot Program. First announced last October, this White House initiative partners the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) with local, state and tribal governments, which then partner with private sector participants to safely explore the further integration of drone operations.
For more on this topic, as well as the list of 10 selectees, click below:
U.S. Transportation Secretary Chao Announces UAS Integration Pilot Program Selectees
“Data gathered from these pilot projects will form the basis of a new regulatory framework to safely integrate drones into our national airspace,” said Secretary Chao.
USDOT and its Federal Aviation Administration carefully evaluated each of the 149 proposals they received according to the requirements outlined in a Screening Information Request. The 10 final selectees will now work with the FAA to refine their operational concepts through Memorandums of Agreement (MOAs).
