The Federal Aviation Administration announced on Monday that they have selected six public entities that will develop unmanned aircraft systems research and test sites around the country. One of those entities was the University of Alaska.

Unmanned Aircraft Systems, or UAS perform border and port surveillance, help with scientific research and environmental monitoring, support public safety by law enforcement agencies, help state universities conduct research, and support various other missions for government entities.

In selecting the six test site operators, the FAA considered geography, climate, location of ground infrastructure, research needs, airspace use, safety, aviation experience and risk. In totality, these six test applications achieve cross-country geographic and climatic diversity and help the FAA meet its UAS research needs.

The University of Alaska was chosen because its proposal contained a diverse set of test site range locations in seven climatic zones as well as geographic diversity with test site range locations in Hawaii and Oregon. The research plan includes the development of a set of standards for unmanned aircraft categories, state monitoring and navigation. Alaska also plans to work on safety standards for UAS operations.

The decision to include the University of Alaska as one of the UAS sites was welcomed by Alaska’s Senator Mark Begich. Begich challenged lawmakers to invest $5 million in laying groundwork for UAS development two years ago. The legislature agreed to do so in partnership with the University.

Begich pointed out that UAS aircraft were instrumental in guiding the Coast Guard ice breaker “Healy,” that assisted in getting fuel to Nome in the winter of 2011. In a statement, Begich said, “I fought hard to include funding for this research in the FAA bill because this kind of cutting-edge research will bring jobs, resources and a new mission to the University of Alaska system,” Begich said. “This new initiative will help lay the foundation for other new economic activity in Alaska and put our state on the world map when it comes to this exciting emerging technology.”

Representative Shelley Hughes, who co-chairs the legislative task force for UAS in Alaska was pleased with the FAA decision to include the University of Alaska. She stated, “I am encouraged by the benefits of this industry coming to our great state as we embark on this new endeavor in the world of aviation.”

Hughes congratulated the University of Alaska Fairbanks for being selected and pointed out the timeliness of the task force’s work. “Our members have diligently been reviewing the state’s responsibility regarding privacy concerns, and we’ll be bringing forward recommendations to the legislature to provide a safeguard to the public,” Hughes said. “Alaska continues to be a leader in aviation, and this is the next wave. It makes sense to use UAS for the dull, dirty, and dangerous tasks.”

“The University is both honored and challenged with this selection,” Ro Bailey, Deputy Director, Alaska Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems at UAF, said. “The benefits for the state, for its citizens, for business and technology, and for the nation are exciting and potentially very dramatic.”

In addition to Alaska, other states selected for test sites include: Nevada, New York, Texas, North Dakota and Virginia.