VT research team awarded millions to study drones for national security

BLACKSBURG, Va. (WDBJ) - Virginia Tech is breaking ground, or reaching the skies, in research surrounding Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS). We call them drones, and as they become more popular, the research is needed now more than ever.

Aviation expert Tombo Jones said the United States is behind in drone technology. The United States Army is trusting Jones and Virginia Tech to do that research, studying how they can strengthen our nation’s defenses.

The sky’s the limit for the power of drones. But Jones, Director of Virginia Tech Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership (MAAP), said it’s not always in the best way.

Nefarious actors, meaning people who conduct criminal, illegal, or dangerous activity, can use drones for all the wrong reasons, including information collection and even destruction.

“We’re one nefarious actor, who’s successful, away from having our resources severely damaged,” said Jones.

That’s why Jones is leading a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) UAS test site.

It’s made possible through a $5 million award from the U.S. Army. Jones’ research team is focusing on two topics, looking into expanding drone technology and how drones can be used for national security.

“They each have different strengths and weaknesses, and so part of that research work is to conduct evaluations on how well these different technologies work,” explained Jones. “Then, help to determine how they should be paired together to provide the best umbrella over critical infrastructure or places that the Department of Defense is trying to protect.”

Jones said the research is needed immediately, as drones are now being used in Ukraine and Yemen for wartime activity.

“For us to be able to give back by taking the information that we already have learned about drones and how to evaluate different detection systems and to be able to put that towards now, you know, a way to provide protection for our country, we’re pretty proud to be involved in that,” said Jones.

Jones said there will be two test sites, one indoor and one outdoor, for the research. He’s not able to disclose where they will be yet, but says it will be Virginia Tech Property.