The Multi-Million Dollar Central New York Corridor Creates Unparalleled Drone Testing Capability

New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has announced that the state-supported Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research Alliance has selected key partners in the development of New York's unmanned aircraft system traffic management corridor in Central New York. The corridor, which runs from Central New York to the Mohawk Valley, is the first of its kind, and most advanced drone testing corridor in the nation. SRC/Gryphon Sensors and Raytheon have both received awards to complete the UTM corridor. The overall project will consist of the system planning, design, implementation, commissioning, and operational support of a state-of-the-art UTM research, development, test and evaluation infrastructure.

"This partner selection is just the latest advancement in positioning Central New York and the Mohawk Valley as leaders in the global market for this cutting-edge technology," Governor Cuomo said. "Through our investment in this drone corridor, we are strengthening and growing regional economies for generations to come."

"As Chair of the Regional Economic Development Councils, I have seen firsthand the evolution of our work to grow the UAS and UTM industry in Central New York, and today marks another milestone for our Central NY Rising strategy," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. "Today's announcement is great news for the growing number of high-tech jobs in the region and demonstrates our continued commitment to moving Upstate New York forward and rising to new heights."

To advance the burgeoning Unmanned Aircraft Systems industry in Central New York, Governor Cuomo announced a $30 million state investment to develop the 50-mile flight traffic management system between Syracuse and Griffiss International Airport in Rome in November 2016. Within this corridor, strategic investments will accelerate industry growth by supporting emerging uses of Unmanned Aircraft Systems in key industries, including agriculture and forest management, transportation and logistics, media and film development, utilities and infrastructure, and public safety.

The corridor enables companies to test both UAS platforms and UTM technologies in real world settings, generating data that will inform industry and regulators and advance the commercial use of drones. This multimillion dollar effort that is part of Central New York Rising, Phase II of the UTM corridor, will advance Project UAS Safe Autonomous Flight Environment and enable Beyond Visual Line of Sight operations in the defined 50-mile corridor.

"We have identified the most qualified organizations to complete the New York UTM Corridor and expand our UAS testing capabilities," said Major General Marke F. "Hoot" Gibson (ret), CEO, NUAIR Alliance. "This key step in the procurement process moves the project forward towards becoming the nation's premier test site. With all our state economic and technical support, I think we are well positioned to accelerate the UAS industry and further establish this region as a national leader."

The UTM corridor enables various use cases such as drone deliveries, infrastructure monitoring, search and rescue, and precision agriculture. Initially, the corridor operation will focus on enabling 55 lb. and below BVLOS small UAS operations. However, the corridor will also support urban mobility efforts and other developments including electric/hybrid vertical take-off and landing aircraft systems to carry people and property in air transportation, including commercial fleet operations with highly automated UAS.

(Source: UAS Central news release)

FMI: uascentral.com