FAA Awards $12 Million for 19 Drone Research and Testing Projects
Funding supports 19 projects focused on detect-and-avoid, BVLOS communications, drone traffic management, identity verification and other technologies for UAS integration
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded $12 million for 19 drone research and testing projects. The projects aim to support the safe expansion of drone operations in the National Airspace System (NAS).
The awards come through the FAA‘s Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) Program. The program pairs companies with FAA-designated UAS Test Sites to evaluate technologies needed for broader drone operations.
“The UAS Broad Agency Announcement Program gives us another way to directly work with industry and our test site partners on technologies that are critical to safe drone integration,” said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford. “The research supported through this program will give us better data, help us identify and understand operational challenges, and inform how we safely integrate these aircraft into the National Airspace System.”
The FAA said the awards also support the Trump administration’s Unleashing American Drone Dominance Executive Order. Issued in June 2025, the order calls for greater use of FAA UAS Test Sites to develop, test and scale U.S. drone technologies.
Research Targets Key Integration Challenges
The 19 projects cover several of the technical challenges involved in expanding drone operations. These include detect-and-avoid systems, long-range communications, traffic management and aircraft identification.
General Atomics will work on ground systems designed to help drones avoid other aircraft. NAVMAR and Skydweller will study systems aimed at supporting safe operations of larger unmanned aircraft.
Censys Technologies will test satellite communications for long-range drone operations. OneRadio Corporation will test passive radar for detect-and-avoid applications.
ANRA Technologies received awards for four projects. The work includes connecting air taxi operations, vertiports and flight procedures. Other projects address common altitude references, airport air traffic integration and AI-based drone identification.
DroneUp will work on a secure method for verifying drone identity and authorization to fly. Aerial Vantage will develop tools for managing reserved drone airspace in urban areas.
Lighthouse Avionics will work on surveillance technology for long-range drone routes. ResilienX will develop software to coordinate drone missions and resources.
SPS Aerial Remote Sensing received three awards. Its projects address drone visibility, sensor performance, and sensing technology for drone traffic management and counter-drone applications.
Other recipients include Devorto Corporation, Frequentis USA and Oklahoma State University. The university’s Aero Aware project will focus on drone visibility technology.
Using the FAA Test Site Network
The research will involve the FAA’s network of nine designated UAS Test Sites. The sites provide locations and expertise for testing technologies and operating concepts under real-world conditions.
The current network includes test sites in Alaska, North Dakota, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Texas, Virginia, Oklahoma and Indiana.
The latest awards span technologies needed for more complex drone operations, including flights beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS). They also address the connection between emerging drone traffic systems and the existing air traffic system.
For the drone industry, the funding offers another path for companies to test technologies alongside FAA partners. The resulting data could also help the agency understand operational challenges and inform future approaches to integrating drones into the NAS.