The FAA recently awarded $2.7 million to five universities to support research on how drones can assist in disaster preparedness and in emergencies.
“Every second counts in an emergency and this funding will allow drones to safely and more quickly deploy in moments when minutes matter,” said Acting FAA Administrator Billy Nolen.
The research will explore the use of drones in “providing effective and efficient responses to different natural and human-made disasters,” according to FAA officials. “It will address coordination procedures among drone operators from federal agencies, as well as state and local disaster preparedness and emergency response organizations.”
The five universities receiving grants are:
- University of Vermont: $1,195,000
- University of Alabama Huntsville: $828,070
- New Mexico State University: $400,000
- North Carolina State University: $200,000
- Kansas State University: $145,000
More than 850,000 recreational and commercial drones are in the nation’s drone fleet, and that number is expected to grow, FAA officials added.