Turner Leads OH Delegation in Support of UAS Application
Press Release
Congressman Mike Turner (OH-10) has lead the Ohio Congressional Delegation in a letter of support for the selection of the Ohio/Indiana Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Center & Test Complex to be selected as one of the six UAS Test Sites required by the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (Public Law 112-95). The selection of Ohio and Indiana as a UAS Test Site would be a boost to research endeavors in the region as well as local economies.
Turner helped co-author the language establishing the test ranges and included several complimentary provisions in the NDAA. Turner's provisions, which were included in the FY12 National Defense Authorization Act and the long-term FAA reauthorization, also require that the FAA consult with DoD and NASA on site selection.
In the letter, the Delegation pointed to the logistical and technical advantages of selecting the Ohio/Indiana bid for a test site: "With access to restricted airspace, existing Memorandums of Agreement (MOA) and certificates of waiver or authorization (COA), the Ohio and Indiana region currently hosts robust UAS operations, with more than 1,000 sorties flown in the proposed airspace last year alone. The knowledge base of area pilots, researchers and engineers already operating in the UAS aeronautical specialties brings extraordinary understanding, commitment and a proven track record of performance and safety."
In addition, the Ohio/Indiana bid is bolstered by existing FAA partners conducting research and development work for UAS integration in those states. This includes the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Glenn Research Center, and the Naval Surface War Center Crane Division (NSWC Crane). These facilities and their extensive contractor base hold key technologies needed for the integration of UAS into the national airspace, including sense and avoid technology at AFRL, secure command, control and communication technology at NASA Glenn Research Center, and intelligence and information technology at NSWC Crane.
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