How Can Higher Education Best Support UAS Growth in America?

Abstract

When considering how academia can assist with the domestic growth of unmanned aerial systems (UAS), including integration of UAS in the National Airspace System (NAS); it is necessary to consider what primary users and developers have said already. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Department of Defense (DoD) have been long standing proponents of unmanned aircraft technology and operations, recognizing the value for research, information gathering, communications,
and warfare (DoD, 2011a; DoD, 2011b; NASA, 2013; NASA, 2011b). From use in environmental protection to improving the effectiveness of agriculture (e.g., precision agriculture), the impacts and implications of this technology have been and will continue to be far reaching (AUVSI, 2013; GAO, 2013; NASA, 2011b).