Coalition Growth Reflects Need to Focus on Tech to Augment Current/Future Crisis Response Efforts

The Small UAV Coalition has announced that Workhorse (WKHS) has joined the Coalition as an Associate member.

Workhorse joins the Coalition on the heels of a successful effort in partnership with the Virginia Center for Innovative Technology (CIT) and other industry leaders to test how unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) can augment coronavirus response efforts. As Governor Ralph Northam commented, “Drones can be an important way to deliver medical supplies while people stay home to adhere to our social distancing guidelines.”

The Coalition shares Workhorse’s belief that drones can and should play a leading role in crisis response, whether for public health emergencies, natural disasters, or other events, in a variety of operating environments. While industry and regulators have made strides in recent years to leverage drones for emergency response, more work – supported by tests like the one Workhorse participated in last month – remains to ensure that there is a framework for routine UAS operations in place for future crises.

“We believe that drone delivery is a vitally important solution in dealing with crisis response,” said Duane Hughes, Workhorse CEO. “As a member of the Small UAV Coalition, it is our honor and privilege to work side by side with our country’s leading technology companies. The Small UAV Coalition’s leadership in the research, development, production, and application of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) offers true insight into our future.”

The Coalition is thrilled to welcome Workhorse to its membership and looks forward to leveraging its experience and expertise as it continues to work with Congress, the FAA, and other policymakers to advance a regulatory framework for safe, ubiquitous commercial UAS operations.

FMI: www.smalluavcoalition.org