03.24.20

Hoeven Urges FAA to Allow Delivery of Essential Supplies by Small UAS

Senator Advancing Northern Plains UAS Test Site Request to Support Operations in Areas of Urgent Need

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today urged Stephen Dickson, Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), to allow the delivery of essential supplies using small unmanned aerial systems (UAS). The senator is supporting a request made by the Northern Plains UAS Test Site for the FAA to grant waivers to industry, allowing drones to serve areas with the most urgent needs and the lowest level of risk posed by such operations. Hoeven’s letter to Administrator Dickson can be found here.

“North Dakota is the nation’s test bed for UAS, and considering the challenging times facing our nation, it makes sense to use this expertise to advance innovative solutions that ensure needs are being met around the nation,” said Hoeven. “Small UAS can accelerate the delivery of critically-needed supplies across the country, such as food and medicine, saving time and money, while also reducing the risks of transmitting COVID-19. We’re working with the FAA to get the right waivers in place so these kinds of low-risk, high-reward operations can move forward.”

-###-