The U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration have announced two new UAS Test Sites in partnership with the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. These additions mark the first new federal test ranges for drones in nearly a decade, expanding national research capacity to advance Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) and other advanced drone operations.
The FAA’s UAS Test Site program enables real-world testing and data collection to support the safe integration of drones into the National Airspace System (NAS). The newly selected sites bring the total number of test ranges to nine, joining established locations in Alaska, North Dakota, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Texas, and Virginia.
Testing to Advance BVLOS and Autonomy
According to FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford, “These test sites help the U.S. assess emerging technologies to modernize methods for cargo delivery, Beyond Visual Line of Sight operations, and multiple drone operations while informing safety and security.” The initiative will also evaluate autonomous systems and advanced air mobility technologies in controlled environments.
The Choctaw Nation site will focus on real-world drone applications that include delivery services, infrastructure inspection, and emergency response missions across tribal lands. The Indiana Economic Development Corporation site will emphasize industrial and commercial testing for cargo logistics, energy infrastructure, and agricultural monitoring.
Supporting U.S. Drone Leadership
“From delivering lifesaving medicine to surveying pipelines, drones are already reshaping industries and changing how people and products interact,” said Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “We’ve added these new test sites to help us gather critical data and test new systems so we can safely unleash innovation in our skies.”
The move supports the goals of President Trump’s “Executive Order on Unleashing American Drone Dominance” and the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, which authorized the addition of two new test ranges.
More information on the UAS Test Site Program and its research activities is available from their website.
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Ian McNabb is a journalist focusing on drone technology and lifestyle content at Dronelife. He is based between Boston and NH and, when not writing, enjoys hiking and Boston area sports.