Funding proposed for UAS research

Mississippi’s Senate Appropriations Committee has tripled FY 2017 research funding for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) led by Mississippi State University’s Center Of Excellence. The committee gave the thumbs-up to $17.6 million – up from $5M last year. More than 100 aviation-industry partners provide matching funds to support COE research related to integrating UAS technologies. The FAA has oversight of the program. Additional proposed state funding provides $150 million for Essential Air Service (EAS) to subsidize air carriers serving Tupelo, Meridian, Hattiesburg/Laurel and Greenville; existing contract air traffic towers at Golden Triangle Regional, Greenville Municipal, Hawkins Field in Jackson, Meridian/Key Field, Olive Branch, Stennis International Airport and Tupelo Regional; and $2.1 billion to support the Space Launch System at Stennis Space Center in Hancock County. The appropriations must pass both chambers of the state legislature. (NE Mississippi Daily Journal “Opinion” 04/24/16)