Raytheon to develop America's first drone-testing airspace corridor

Raytheon to develop America’s first drone-testing airspace corridor

Air May 9, 2018

The Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research Alliance has chosen Raytheon as a key partner in the development of America’s first and most advanced unmanned aircraft system-testing airspace corridor in New York state.

The company will will help plan, design, build and support the state’s next-generation air traffic management system to safely test and manage drones.

Matt Gilligan, vice president of Raytheon’s Navigation, Weather and Services mission area, said: “UASs are playing an increasingly important role in our society, which means we must have low-altitude air traffic management solutions. The New York airspace corridor is the first-of-its kind, but it won’t be the last.”

The new corridor will extend 50 miles (80 kilometers) west from Griffiss International Airport, which is one of only seven Federal Aviation Administration-approved unmanned aircraft systems test sites in America. It will allow companies to test both drones and air traffic management technologies in real-world settings, generating valuable data that will inform industry and regulators and ultimately advance the commercial use of drones.

Maj. Gen. Marke F. “Hoot” Gibson (ret), NUAIR Alliance’s chief executive officer, commented: “We have identified the most qualified organizations to complete the New York UTM corridor and expand our UAS testing capabilities.

“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.”

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Raytheon UAS Airspace Integration Research Alliance