The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently awarded $2.7 million in Alliance for System Safety of UAS through Research Excellence (ASSURE) grants to five universities to support research on how drones can assist in emergencies and disaster preparedness.
Kansas State University was awarded a $145,000 grant, North Carolina State University was awarded $200,000, New Mexico State University was awarded $400,000, the University of Alabama Huntsville was awarded $828,070, and the University of Vermont was awarded $1.2 million.
Currently, more than 850,000 recreational and commercial drones are in active use. The universities will research using drones to respond effectively and efficiently to natural and manmade disasters.
Researchers also will address coordination procedures among drone operators from federal agencies and state and local disaster preparedness and emergency response organizations.
“Every second counts in an emergency and this funding will allow drones to safely and more quickly deploy in moments when minutes matter,” Acting FAA Administrator Billy Nolen said.
For Fiscal Year 2022, the FAA has awarded 20 grants totaling $21 million.
The agency has established six facilities to help advance technology and educate aviation professionals, including the ASSURE Center of Excellence. Research conducted through the center focuses on helping the drone community grow safely and integrate into U.S. airspace.