Senate Approves Udall Amendment to Strengthen UAS Testing Hub at NMSU
Press Release
Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall announced that the Senate this week passed a provision he authored to help solidify Southern New Mexico as a leading testing center for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS, or drones). Udall's amendment to a bill reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) would put New Mexico State University's UAS Flight Test Center on a level playing field with six federally authorized UAS test sites across the country, helping to attract business to the region and enabling NMSU to better compete for federal testing projects. NMSU was the FAA's original UAS test center and served as a model for the six additional sites authorized by Congress in 2012.
"Innovators from across the country come to Southern New Mexico for its unmatched airspace, and this amendment will help attract business from the federal government as well," said Udall, a member of the Senate Commerce Committee. "New Mexico State University was the FAA's first testing center for this technology. Putting the UAS Flight Test Center on par with others across the country will promote the region as a leader in UAS technology innovation - helping to create good jobs right here in New Mexico."
"I would like to thank Senator Udall for his efforts to defend and advance NMSU's UAS Test Flight Center," said NMSU Chancellor Garrey Carruthers. "For many years NMSU's flight test center has worked with the FAA to integrate unmanned systems into the national airspace and develop safety standards, operational procedures, and regulations for unmanned aircraft. NMSU has the available airspace and technical capabilities to test these flight systems, as well as to collect and provide the FAA with crucial research data to safely integrate UAS into the national airspace system. This experience is a benefit to the FAA, as well as to our region, as the UAS industry grows in jobs and investment."
Udall's provision was included as an amendment to the FAA reauthorization bill when it was considered by the Commerce Committee. The Senate passed the final legislation Tuesday on a 95-3 vote. The bill now must be passed by the U.S. House of Representatives.
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