The U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have announced two new designated sites for testing Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), also known as drones. The locations, in The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and Indiana Economic Development Corporation, are the first additions to the national test site network in almost ten years.
The UAS Test Site program is designed to support the development, testing, and evaluation of unmanned aircraft technologies for both public and civil use. It aims to help integrate drones safely into the National Airspace System. In August 2025, Secretary Sean P. Duffy introduced a proposed Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) rule that would expand drone applications across industries.
"From delivering lifesaving medicine to surveying pipelines, drones are already reshaping industries and changing how people and products interact. It’s our job to make sure the United States safely leads the way with this exciting technology – not China," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. "We’ve added these new test sites to help us gather critical data and test new systems so we can safely unleash innovation in our skies."
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford stated, "These test sites help the U.S. assess emerging technologies to modernize methods for cargo delivery, Beyond Visual Line of Sight Operations and multiple drone operations while informing safety and security." He added, "Together, we will usher in the safe commercialization of drone technologies and fully integrate UAS into our NAS."
This initiative is part of President Trump’s Executive Order “Unleashing American Drone Dominance,” which seeks to boost productivity in the United States, create high-skilled jobs, and influence aviation’s future direction.
Assistant Secretary of Tribal Government Affairs James A. Crawford highlighted how this move impacts tribal communities: "The Trump Administration is ensuring Indian country doesn’t get left behind in its efforts to bring in the Golden Age of Transportation. These new technologies can save lives on reservations with useful practices including the transportation of medical supplies to far reaching corners of these tribal lands. Under President Trump and Secretary Duffy, USDOT is redefining how transportation shapes the daily lives of Americans."
With these additions, there are now nine FAA-designated UAS Test Sites nationwide—previously located in Alaska; North Dakota; New Mexico; Nevada; New York; Texas; and Virginia.
According to recent legislation under the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, up to two additional test ranges may be authorized by the Administrator.
More details about ongoing research at these facilities can be found through resources provided by the FAA online.
