Brian Wynne, president and CEO of the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), has issued the following statement on H.R. 4489, the FAA Leadership in Groundbreaking High-Tech Research and Development Act (FLIGHT R&D Act), which seeks to provide funding to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for research and development, including unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).
“H.R. 4489 signifies a deeper national commitment to UAS research and development. This legislation will provide the FAA with resources for expanding UAS R&D, which is critical to integrating UAS into the National Airspace System and unlocking the full societal and economic benefits of the technology.
“The bill also will provide a plan for industry and government collaboration, which will save the government from expending significant resources to perform the research itself. While the UAS industry has been investing millions in R&D and the federal government has various projects underway, this legislation will enable UAS research to be conducted in a more coordinated and efficient manner.”
“AUVSI appreciates the leadership of chairman Smith, Reps. Knight and Babin, and the full House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology for shepherding this key component to the FAA reauthorization.”
In 2015, Wynne testified before the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology calling for a comprehensive industry-government UAS research plan, more resources for the federal government to coordinate UAS research, and intellectual property protections for the companies that participate in UAS research and development.
