The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), in partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), has made a major move to boost unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) development by expanding the UAS Test Site Network for the first time in nearly a decade. Two new test sites — located in Oklahoma and Indiana — were officially designated in early January 2026, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of drone technology testing and integration.
What’s New in the UAS Test Site Network?
In January 2026, the FAA announced the designation of two additional UAS Test Sites:
- Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma UAS Test Site
- Indiana Economic Development Corporation UAS Test Site
These new facilities bring the total number of FAA-designated test sites nationwide to nine — up from seven sites that were last expanded in 2016.
The expansion comes under the authority of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, which allows the FAA Administrator to designate up to two new UAS test ranges.
Why This Matters
The UAS Test Site Program was originally launched under the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 to support the safe integration of drones into the National Airspace System (NAS). Test sites provide controlled environments where public and civil drones — and the technologies that power them — can be developed, tested, evaluated, and refined before broader operational deployment.
These controlled environments are critical for assessing new capabilities like:
- Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations
- Autonomous and multi-UAS flight systems
- Advanced air mobility concepts
- Cargo and medical delivery applications
- Drone traffic management and safety technologies
Expanding the test site network helps the FAA gather essential safety and performance data, which will shape future regulations and operational frameworks — including forthcoming rules aimed at unlocking broader BVLOS flights.
The Full UAS Test Site Network (2026)
After the January expansion, the nine FAA UAS Test Sites are:
- Alaska Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration (AK)
- Northern Plains UAS Test Site (ND)
- New Mexico State University UAS Test Site (NM)
- State of Nevada UAS Test Site (NV)
- New York UAS Test Site (NY)
- Texas A&M Corpus Christi Autonomy Research Institute (TX)
- Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership (VA)
- Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma UAS Test Site (OK)
- Indiana Economic Development Corporation UAS Test Site (IN)
This geographically diverse network provides a broad range of environments and airspace conditions for testing emerging UAS technologies and concepts.
Driving Innovation and Economic Growth
Officials from the FAA and USDOT have emphasized that the expanded network will support innovation that could reshape multiple industries — including logistics, public safety, environmental monitoring, infrastructure inspection, and emergency response. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy highlighted the role of the sites in gathering critical data and advancing safe drone operation standards nationwide.
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford noted the importance of test sites in advancing drone capabilities and integrating them fully into the national airspace system in a way that prioritizes safety and reliability.
What’s Next for UAS Integration?
While drone technology is already being used for a variety of commercial and public purposes — from aerial surveys to emergency delivery services — integrating these systems into everyday airspace safely remains a complex challenge. The expanded test site network will play a key role in refining operational procedures, advancing regulatory frameworks, and ensuring that emerging UAS technologies are safe, scalable, and ready for broader adoption.
Expect continued progress on regulatory frameworks, especially around BVLOS operations, as the FAA works to balance innovation with safety requirements.
