MSU to lead DHS’ UAS test site

STARKVILLE, Miss. - Mississippi State University has been selected to lead a major research and development project for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The DHS Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) selected Mississippi as the new base of operations for small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS), or drones, and a Mississippi State-led partnership will oversee the initiative. The new S&T Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Demonstration Range Facility will support homeland security operations and training by providing UAS flight and exercise support facilities in a variety of support for operational evaluations, applications and scenarios. The Mississippi partnership will include the Mississippi National Guard’s Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center; Mississippi Air National Guard’s Gulfport Combat Readiness Training Center; NASA’s Stennis Space Center; Jackson County Port Authority and the Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission. (Source: Mississippi State 04/19/17)