Comprehensive research plan, more federal resources and intellectual property protections needed to advance UAS R&D



WASHINGTON – In prepared testimony for the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology, AUVSI President and CEO Brian Wynne today emphasized the need to make unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) research and development a top national priority. Wynne called for a comprehensive industry-government UAS research plan, more resources for the federal government to coordinate UAS research and intellectual property protections for the companies that participate in UAS R&D.



“The advancement of UAS technology, as with other technologies, will need to be a collaborative effort between industry and government. The industry is already leading the way, investing millions into R&D. All of us can become smarter faster if the industry and government work closely together – and the collaboration will also save the government from having to expend significant resources to conduct the necessary research itself,” Wynne said in prepared testimony.



“While the industry is investing millions in research, and the federal government has various research projects underway, we can all do this better, and in a more coordinated fashion. The challenges we jointly face call for a national leadership initiative that places UAS integration into the NAS – and all relevant R&D – at the top of our country’s priority list.



“A deeper, national commitment to UAS R&D has three main components – a comprehensive industry-government UAS research plan, more resources for the federal government to coordinate UAS research and intellectual property protections for the companies that participate in UAS R&D,” Wynne affirmed.



Wynne also pressed for the small UAS rulemaking to begin immediately, which will begin to unlock the commercial potential of UAS technology.



“While we’re here today to discuss the critical role of UAS research and development, the fact is, we don’t need a lot of additional research to permit low-altitude, line of sight operations, which is generally what we expect the first phase of the integration will allow. These are low-risk flights in airspace where manned aircraft generally do not fly. A variety of commercial applications can be safely authorized right away, and we look forward to working with the FAA to get this done as expeditiously as possible,” Wynne said.



Wynne also described a wide range of industries that are already excited to take advantage of the many benefits UAS stand to offer.



“Industries from agriculture and real estate to filmmaking and oil and gas are clamoring to use this technology. But until rules are created, these industries and many others will remain largely grounded. And for every day that UAS integration is delayed, the U.S. stands to lose $27.6 million in potential economic impact, according to AUVSI’s economic impact study.”



According to a 2013 economic impact study by AUVSI, the UAS industry stands to create more than 100,000 new jobs and more than $82 billion in economic impact within the first ten years following UAS integration.

About AUVSI

The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) — the world's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of unmanned systems and robotics — represents more than 7,500 members from 60+ allied countries involved in the fields of government, industry and academia. AUVSI members work in the defense, civil and commercial markets.