The United States National Drone Association™ (USNDA) has officially announced its formation, setting up shop in Washington, D.C., with its national headquarters to be based at Full Sail University in Florida. This new organization aims to accelerate the U.S. drone industry through research, prototyping, and practical applications across multiple sectors, according to a press release.

“The United States National Drone Association is a 501(c)3 organization formed to accelerate the rapid and responsible advancement of Small, Swarming, and Counter Drone technologies for national areas of interest, by increasing transparency and cooperation between industry, academia, government, and international partnerships,” It reads on the USNDA website.

Collaborative Research and Innovation

At the heart of USNDA’s mission is the establishment of a Collaborative Capstone Research Laboratory (CCRL) on Full Sail University’s campus by 2027. This facility will focus on experimenting with small drones, counter-drone technologies, and drone swarms. The CCRL aims to be a hub for over 100,000 students from more than 10 colleges and universities in Central Florida.

“With real-world education at the heart of our university’s mission, in addition to problem-solving utilizing emerging tech innovations, Full Sail University is honored for our campus to house the official National Headquarters for the United States National Drone Association,” said Full Sail University President, Garry Jones.

Upcoming Events and Competitions

The USNDA has already set dates for key events:

National Drone Conference™ and National Drone Games™: December 1-2, 2024, at Full Sail University
National Drone Wars™: May 2025, at a private testing location

These events will offer opportunities for student and faculty teams to present prototypes and compete for funding.

Political Support and Industry Impact

The initiative has garnered bipartisan support from Florida Representatives David Smith (R) and Tom Keen (D), who stated, “We are proud of the opportunity for the State of Florida and its technology corridor to lead by example, convening shared interest to advance innovation rapidly and responsibly for not only our State, but our Nation.”

DroneXL’s Take

The formation of the USNDA marks a significant step forward for the U.S. drone industry. By focusing on education and innovation, this initiative could potentially accelerate the development of drone technologies for various applications, from public safety to environmental protection.

Recent articles on DroneXL have highlighted the growing importance of drones in emergency response and environmental monitoring. The USNDA’s focus on these areas aligns well with current industry trends and could lead to groundbreaking advancements in drone capabilities.

What are your thoughts on the formation of the United States National Drone Association? Share your opinions in the comments section below.

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