Virginia launches advanced air mobility and unmanned systems test site

Virginia has launched an Advanced Air Mobility Test Site Program.

Developed to support the deployment of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), urban air mobility solutions, and other advanced aviation platforms, the program will serve as an operational proving ground for new capabilities that align with Virginia’s Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) strategy, public-private priorities, and long-term economic goals, according to state aviation officials.

The Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC) and the Virginia Department of Aviation (DOAV) are managing the collaborative effort focused on demonstrating integrated systems, collecting real-world data, and preparing for commercial deployment and regulatory compliance.

Five industry partners have been selected to work together to enable a fully integrated AAM demonstration site, with operations designed to align with FAA guidance and American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards, officials noted.

They are:

• Aloft brings advanced service supplier (USS) capabilities to the program, contributing to flight information management and airspace coordination.
• ANRA Technologies is the only U.S. non-vertically integrated provider authorized by the FAA for UAS Traffic Management and the world’s only company certified by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency for airspace management.
• ATA Aviation will lead project management and system integration, focusing on system design and performance evaluation in coordination with Virginia’s Flight Information Exchange (VA-FIX).
• DroneUp, a UAS services company, will conduct flight operations to validate airspace awareness infrastructure and generate operational flight data.
• OneSky provides data integration tools to support coordination among UAS operators and service platforms.

“Virginia is committed to shaping the future of aviation in a way that is safe, inclusive, and economically sustainable,” said Greg Campbell, Director of the Virginia Department of Aviation. “This program puts our strategy into motion and supports communities across the Commonwealth as we transition toward new modes of transportation.”

The new test site program supports Virginia’s AAM strategy to ensure Virginia leads the nation in AAM by aligning infrastructure, investment, and policy with emerging industry and federal priorities, officials said. Data collected from the test site will inform future safety frameworks, business models, and sustainment strategies for Virginia’s broader AAM ecosystem.

For more information: DOAV.Virginia.gov, VIPC.org