Raspet expanding UAS research

STARKVILLE, Miss. - Mississippi State University’s Raspet Flight Research Laboratory is expanding its unmanned aerial systems (UAS) research and support capabilities with the purchase of two TigerShark XP3 aircraft. The buy, along with associated radio and computer equipment, represents a total investment of about $2M, and will increase the lab’s UAS core flight research capabilities. The cost of the TigerSharks is covered in part by grant funding from federal research projects aimed at making UAS safer. The new UAS carry more equipment, flies higher and longer, that “increases our ability to meet the needs of our federal research partners, as well as to directly support Mississippians in times of emergency” such as directing crews to repair downed power lines, broken levees, or other emergency relief efforts. Pilots have spent weeks training with the new UAS, which weighs about 500 pounds. MSU is the lead university for the FAA Alliance for System Safety of UAS through Research Excellence (ASSURE). The university also leads the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Common UAS Test Site. Additionally, MSU works with Mississippi economic development officials to support the state’s growing aerospace industry. (Source: MSU 02/28/19)