The FAA has selected five host airports to evaluate technologies and systems that could detect and mitigate potential safety risks posed by unmanned aircraft.
The effort is part of the agency’s Airport Unmanned Aircraft Systems Detection and Mitigation Research Program.
The airports are:
- Atlantic City International Airport (KACY) in Atlantic City, New Jersey
- Syracuse Hancock International Airport (KSYR) in Syracuse, New York
- Rickenbacker International Airport (KLCK) in Columbus, Ohio
- Huntsville International Airport (KHSV) in Huntsville, Alabama
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (KSEA) in Seattle, Washington
These airports meet FAA requirements for diverse testing environments and represent airport operating conditions found across the United States, FAA officials noted. The testing will lead to standards for future unmanned aircraft detection and mitigation technologies at airports around the country.
The research will lead to the implementation of new technologies that will make airports safer for passengers and manned aircraft. Researchers plan to test and evaluate at least 10 technologies or systems at these airports.
Testing will begin in late 2021 and continue through 2023.