The FAA Reauthorization Act 2024, signed by President Biden last week, signifies a considerable advancement in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) technology and safety. A key component of the act is the extension of the Alliance for System Safety of UAS through Research Excellence (ASSURE), FAA’s Center of Excellence for UAS programs, which promotes innovation and collaboration inside the UAS industry.
Senator Roger Wicker, senior senator representing Mississippi and a senior member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, was instrumental on this legislative effort. “Mississippi State University continues to be a pacesetter within the FAA’s Centers of Excellence program for unmanned aircraft system research,” stated U.S. Senator Roger Wicker. “This laws will keep the university on the epicenter of aviation innovation, and I’m proud to have supported it.”
Mississippi State University, a key institution within the ASSURE program, has significantly contributed to its foundation and ongoing success. Dr. David Shaw, Provost and Executive Vice President at Mississippi State University, emphasized this system’s impact: “I even have had the privilege of being involved with the ASSURE program since its inception, and it has been truly remarkable to witness the expansion and significant impact this system has had on the UAS industry. From the outset, this system’s mission has been clear: to offer high-quality research and support to autonomy stakeholders, each domestically and internationally, as a way to safely and efficiently integrate autonomous systems into the national and international infrastructure.”
ASSURE is comprised of 29 leading research institutions and over 100 industry and government partners. Its extensive portfolio ranges from small drones to large-scale UAS, offering expertise across various research areas. This system’s extension supports the UAS market’s growth towards its multi-billion-dollar potential by specializing in safety, effectiveness, and efficiency to facilitate UAS integration alongside manned aircraft globally.
Col. Stephen P. Luxion, Ret., Executive Director of the ASSURE FAA Center of Excellence for UAS, highlighted this system’s broader objectives: “ASSURE just isn’t only about advancing technology, but additionally about increasing commerce and enhancing overall public safety and profit. As we proceed to navigate the complexities of UAS integration, I’m thrilled to see the good work of the ASSURE program persist and evolve. Together, we’re shaping the long run of autonomous systems and paving the way in which for a safer, more interconnected world.”
Along with extending the ASSURE program, the FAA Reauthorization Act has established ASSUREd Secure, a credentialing authority inside the FAA’s program of record. This national credentialing authority, housed on the Center of Excellence for Unmanned Aircraft Systems at Mississippi State University, will deal with standards development, education, and testing to support first responders in diverse emergency response operations.
About ASSURE
The Alliance for System Safety of UAS through Research Excellence (ASSURE), FAA’s Center of Excellence for UAS programs, includes 29 of the world’s premier research institutions and over 100 leading industry and government partners. ASSURE members are central to 4 FAA UAS test sites and lead 4 FAA research centers, with UAS starting from small drones below 55 kilos to the biggest UAS at any US academic institution at 1800 kilos. By prioritizing safety, effectiveness, and efficiency, ASSURE conducts research to help the FAA in integrating UAS with manned aircraft worldwide. Moreover, ASSURE leads ASSUREd Secure, aimed toward enhancing and standardizing first responders’ use of UAS for public profit, safety, and emergency response.
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