U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and Federal Aviation Administrator Bryan Bedford announced the designation of two new Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) test sites in the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and through the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. These are the first new FAA-designated UAS test sites in nearly a decade.
The UAS Test Site Program supports the development, testing, and evaluation of public and civil unmanned aircraft and related technologies, helping advance the safe integration of drones into the National Airspace System (NAS). The announcement follows Secretary Duffy’s proposed Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) rule, unveiled in August, which would significantly expand the operational use of drone technologies.
“From delivering lifesaving medicine to surveying pipelines, drones are already reshaping industries,” said Secretary Duffy. “It’s our job to ensure the United States safely leads the way with this technology—not China. These new test sites will help gather critical data and test new systems so we can safely unleash innovation in our skies.”
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford emphasized the role of the sites in advancing safety and commercialization.
“These test sites will help the U.S. assess emerging technologies for cargo delivery, BVLOS operations, and multiple-drone use while informing safety and security,” Bedford said. “Together, we will usher in the safe commercialization of drone technologies and fully integrate UAS into the NAS.”
Assistant Secretary of Tribal Government Affairs James A. Crawford highlighted the benefits for Tribal communities, noting that drone technologies can save lives by improving access to medical supplies in remote areas.
With these additions, the United States now has nine FAA-designated UAS test sites nationwide. The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 authorizes the designation of up to two new UAS test ranges. More information on the UAS Test Site Program is available online.