The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) has announced that it will receive $1.1 million of the $3.3 million in research, education and training grants awarded to universities that make up the FAA’s Air Transportation Center of Excellence (COE) for UAS, which is also known as the Alliance for System Safety of UAS through Research Excellence (ASSURE).

UAH will serve as the lead institution for disaster preparedness and response research to provide insight into the safe integration of UAS into the disaster preparedness and response areas.

The research will examine how UAS can help with disaster preparedness and response to different natural and human-made disasters. To ensure proper coordination during those emergencies, the research will also focus on procedures to coordinate with the Department of Interior, the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other federal, local and state organizations.

“The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) decision to award UAH a $1.1 million grant to effectively deploy drones in response to emergencies is a testament to the innovative work taking place in the Huntsville community,” says U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby.

“I am grateful the Department of Transportation continues to invest in our state, promoting work that integrates education, industry and government. I look forward to the developments and research at UAH made possible by this grant.”

The FAA research grants were announced on Thursday, Aug. 6 by U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

“These grants will help develop a greater array of innovative strategies to more effectively deploy drones during emergency response situations,” Chao says.

Authorized by Congress, the FAA’s COE program is a long-term, cost-sharing partnership among academia, industry and government. Through the program, the FAA can work with center members and affiliates to conduct research in airspace and airport planning and design, environment and aviation safety. The COE also allows the FAA to engage other transportation-related activities.

Right now, there are 1.65 million recreational and commercial drones in the active UAS fleet. With that number expected to grow to as high as 2.31 million by 2024, the goal of the ASSURE grants is to continue the safe and successful integration of drones into the nation’s airspace.

“Collaboration is hugely important as we work to safely integrate UAS into the aerospace system,” says FAA Administrator Steve Dickson.

“These important grants fund the research which allows us to learn and implement the safety measures associated with UAS operations in the airspace.”

Other universities that received grants include Mississippi State University (lead university for Alliance for System Safety of UAS through ASSURE Program Management); New Mexico State University; the University of Alaska, Fairbanks; North Carolina State University; and Oregon State University.