NIAS and its NASA UTM partners successfully test UAS at Nevada UAS Test Site at the Reno-Stead Airport

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Along with its NASA Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) partners, the Nevada Institute for Autonomous Systems (NIAS) recently flew multiple UAS over a week-long testing period at the Nevada UAS Test Site at the Reno-Stead Airport. NIAS manages the Nevada UAS Test Sites.

Testing focused on airspace management technologies that will enable the safe integration of UAS into the National Airspace System (NAS).

During testing, NASA provided a Flight Information Management System (FIMS) research platform. The platform will serve as a future prototype system for the FAA to use to coordinate with Unmanned Service Supplier's (USS) operating throughout the U.S.

Some of the research areas of emphasis during testing included UAS ground control interfacing to locally manage operations, data exchange and BVLOS architecture.

“This pioneering work with NASA and the FAA offers further proof that if it is happening in the UAS industry, it is happening here in Nevada,” says Nevada Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED) Executive Director Paul Anderson.

“With the entire state designated by the FAA as one of only seven UAS test sites in the United States, the role Nevada plays in advancing this life-changing and life-saving technology is truly unique and the experience and expertise located here is unmatched.”

On media day, a team from the Reno Fire Department simulated an incident with a victim experiencing severe blood loss and who needed an immediate transfusion. A multi-rotor UAS from Drone America was equipped with a container that held an actual packet of blood to be transported via UAS to Nevada.

Despite high winds and frigid temperatures, the UAS successfully landed in the designated landing area, allowing the firefighters to retrieve the blood packet and begin the faux-transfusion.

“The State of Nevada will be known for its significant contribution in this journey through its pioneering work with the FAA, NASA and private partners like ourselves, facilitating safe and effective integration into National Airspace,” says Mike Richards, President and CEO of Drone America.

The partners demonstrated UAS flight capability, and they also tested UAS traffic mapping, sensor and radar technology; all of which were connected through a NASA UAS Service Supplier (USS) network to NASA Ames.  

“Our Nevada Teammates did an amazing job working together to successfully complete the first series of major testing for NASA's TCL 3 Campaign,” says Dr. Chris Walach, the Senior Director of NIAS and the FAA-designated Nevada UAS Test Site.