The UAS test Facility at Embry-Riddle

The UAS test Facility at Embry-Riddle

LEADING THE NATION IN UNMANNED AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS INNOVATION

The Unmanned Autonomous Systems (UAS) Test Facility at Embry-Riddle

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University respectfully requests a $2.5 million investment by the State of Florida to match the university’s contribution to build and equip an Unmanned Autonomous Systems (UAS) test facility. With a top-ten national ranking for aviation manufacturing attractiveness, the State of Florida has a special opportunity to capitalize on the newly emerging economic development and research opportunities in the Unmanned Autonomous Systems (UAS) sector, which is expected to generate $3.8 Billion in economic activity and create 36,098 jobs in Florida over the next decade. Embry-Riddle is uniquely positioned to help the State of Florida leverage this growing UAS market through its core strengths in UAS training, technology and policy development, making Florida the “go-to” state for innovation, job creation and workforce development in the unmanned autonomous systems sector.

FUNDING SUMMARY 2017 Requested Investment to Construct UAS Test Facility: State of Florida Contribution $2.5 MILLION • UAS Test Facility $1.5 MILLION • Infrastructure and Equipment $1.0 MILLION Applied Aviation and Engineering Research Hangar University Contribution $2.5 MILLION TOTAL COST $5 MILLION

To achieve this goal, Embry-Riddle is requesting $2.5 million from the state to provide comprehensive training, testing and research solutions for UAS—$1.5 million will be used to construct a UAS testing facility and $1 million to support infrastructure and equipment needs for the Applied Aviation and Engineering Research Hangar. As part of the new Florida Center for UAS Training, Technology and Policy (see page 2) and located in Embry-Riddle’s Research Park, the UAS testing facility will help develop the UAS workforce of the future, providing hands-on, high-tech training for a wide range of UAS applications, including, but not limited to: specialized law enforcement activities, agricultural applications, emergency management and disaster response, and infrastructure maintenance and inspection. When paired with Embry-Riddle’s Research Park capabilities and vast expertise in UAS education, research and policy, the proposed UAS Testing Facility will have unmatched training and research capabilities, positioning Florida as a leader in this emerging field.

FLORIDA AVIATION/AEROSPACE EMPLOYERS HIRING EMBRY-RIDDLE GRADS: NASA • AIRBUS ONEWEB • BLUE ORIGIN • THE BOEING COMPANY

T he F lorida C enter UAS T est F acility

E mbry-Riddle Aeronautical University is establishing the Florida Center for UAS Training, Technology and Policy —an innovative partnership with Volusia County and several Florida law enforcement agencies to position the state of Florida as a national center for training, research and development in UAS technologies and their applications—as well as for developing the policies that govern them. The Florida Center for UAS Training, Technology and Policy will create the UAS workforce of tomorrow by developing and delivering a curriculum that combines classroom, simulation, and scenario-based applied training in UAS technology. Graduates and certificate holders will be able to secure jobs in a wide range of high-skill, high-wage professions including, but not limited to: specialized law enforcement UAS operators, emergency response managers and first responders, forest service personnel, infrastructure inspectors and insurance claims adjusters . Several companies (see “Serving the Needs of Industry”) have already expressed interest in partnering with Embry- Riddle when this facility is available, which will provide more internships for our students, more job opportunities after graduation, higher wages overall and more research innovations originating in our state—all key factors in positioning the state of Florida nationally as a leader in UAS technology and application.

EMBRY-RIDDLE RESEARCH PARTNERS

EMBRAER • HARRIS CORP • LOCKHEED MARTIN • NORTHROP GRUMMAN • ROCKWELL COLLINS • SPACEX • GENERAL DYNAMICS • HONEYWELL

A n O pportunity to L aunch A N ew E ra of E conomic G rowth

I n 2015 the FAA granted hundreds of exemptions for companies to operate drones and unmanned autonomous systems (UAS) in the U.S., signaling the launch of an economic sector with rapid growth potential. In 2016, according to Business Insider Intelligence, drone sales totaled $8.5 billion and are projected to reach $12 billion by 2021. The Association for UnmannedVehicle Systems International (AUVSI), projects that the total U.S. economic impact for UAS integration will exceed $82 billion by 2025, with Florida accounting for $3.8 billion of that total. By partnering with Embry-Riddle to construct and equip a UAS testing facility, the State of Florida has a unique opportunity to capitalize on this rapidly emerging economic sector early in its growth curve. As the world’s leader in aviation and aerospace education and a leader in applied research, Embry-Riddle is uniquely qualified to address the challenges—and leverage the opportunities—that the UAS sector presents. Embry-Riddle is: •A founding member of ASSURE, the FAA’s Center of Excellence for UAS. Embry-Riddle is technical lead in air-traffic integration and co-lead in pilot and crew training. Embry-Riddle’s research projects will play a central role in developing regulatory policies for UAS national airspace integration. •One of the first universities in the country to offer a suite of undergraduate and graduate degrees in UAS, including Unmanned Aircraft Systems Science, Unmanned Systems Applications, Unmanned Systems, and Unmanned & Autonomous Systems Engineering. •Home to leading UAS research. The university, through a spin-off company, Heurobotics (which arose out of research from the Eagle Flight Research Center) has developed a highly intelligent, stable, and maneuverable unmanned aircraft for a variety of applications. Heurobotics recently received a Space Florida-Israel Innovation Partnership grant . •Developer of the first-ever comprehensive consumer guide for small Unmanned Aircraft Systems.

SERVING THE NEEDS OF INDUSTRY

The creation of [the Unmanned Autonomous Systems Test Facility at Embry Riddle’s Research Park] in east Central Florida will undoubtedly provide highly needed training opportunities for specialized law enforcement professionals. The Volusia County Sheriff ’s Office considers Embry-Riddle as a leading university in UAS research and education. We believe the capabilities you are developing in support of law enforcement’s needs will greatly benefit our communities through improved search and rescue operations, protecting officer and citizen safety, accident and crime scene investigations, disaster management and assessment, active pursuit support, and even Fire/ EMS activities. —Michael Chitwood Sheriff Volusia County Sheriff ’s Office At Censys, we’re excited to hear about ERAU’s consideration of a soccer-field-sized drone cage for use by both academia and industry. Such a facility will enable for testing of multiple Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in the same confined airspace for traffic management and Detect-And-Avoid technologies. These collaborative testing efforts could lead to the creation of test >Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4

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