Nevada, Alberta, reach agreement on drone research
Nevada recently signed an agreement with the Canadian province of Alberta to jointly pursue trade and research opportunities around unmanned vehicle systems, otherwise known as drones.
The deal, signed late in July, has Nevada officials hopeful that it will help the state in its quest to earn designation from the Federal Aviation Administration as one of six planned unmanned aircraft system test sites in the United States.
“While Nevada is also hopeful that our application to the FAA to be designated a UVS test site will be successful, the opportunities for collaboration presented by this (agreement) are substantial,” Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval said. “I am excited about what this partnership means for the future of our state and the future of Nevada’s aerospace industry.”
More than 36 states have applied for the designation, which was created through the National Defense Reauthorization Act and last year’s FAA Reauthorization bill in a program that is also expected to provide a tech-based economic boon for areas chosen as test sites.
“Aerospace remains one of Nevada’s most developed economic development industries,” said Steve Hill, director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development. “Within this sector, unmanned vehicle systems offer the most potential for future development.”
Alberta, home to the Canadian Centre for Unmanned Vehicle Systems in Medicine Hat, is one of the hot spots for UAV’s around the world with more than 70 companies currently working on drone-related projects.
