Policy54 mOctober 8, 2026, 14:02

FAA puts $12 million behind 19 drone research projects

The FAA has awarded $12 million to 19 companies and organizations under its UAS Broad Agency Announcement program. Projects cover detect-and-avoid systems, satellite communications for long-range flights, drone identification and integration with conventional air traffic.

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FAA puts $12 million behind 19 drone research projects

Funding flows through the UAS BAA program and nine FAA-designated test sites
General Atomics, OneRadio and Skydweller are working on detect-and-avoid systems
ANRA Technologies received four projects, including vertiport links and AI drone identification
Section 925 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 authorizes $6 million annually for 2025–2028

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