GOVERNOR CUOMO ANNOUNCES PARTNERS TO DEVELOP DRONE CORRIDOR IN CENTRAL NEW YORK
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Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that the state-supported Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research Alliance has selected key partners in the development of New York's unmanned aircraft system traffic management corridor in Central New York. The corridor, which runs from Central New York to the Mohawk Valley, is the first of its kind, and most advanced drone testing corridor in the nation. Gryphon Sensors, a world leader in intelligent drone detection, and Raytheon, a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, civil government and cybersecurity solutions, have both received awards to complete the UTM corridor. The overall project will consist of the system planning, design, implementation, commissioning, and operational support of a state-of-the-art UTM research, development, test and evaluation infrastructure.
"This partner selection is just the latest advancement in positioning Central New York and the Mohawk Valley as leaders in the global market for this cutting-edge technology," Governor Cuomo said. "Through our investment in this drone corridor, we are strengthening and growing regional economies for generations to come."
"As Chair of the Regional Economic Development Councils, I have seen firsthand the evolution of our work to grow the UAS and UTM industry in Central New York, and today marks another milestone for our CNY Rising strategy," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. "Today's announcement is great news for the growing number of high-tech jobs in the region and demonstrates our continued commitment to moving Upstate New York forward and rising to new heights."
To advance the burgeoning Unmanned Aircraft Systems industry in Central New York, Governor Cuomo announced a $30 million state investment to develop the 50-mile flight traffic management system between Syracuse and Griffiss International Airport in Rome in November 2016. Within this corridor, strategic investments will accelerate industry growth by supporting emerging uses of Unmanned Aircraft Systems in key industries, including agriculture and forest management, transportation and logistics, media and film development, utilities and infrastructure, and public safety.
The corridor enables companies to test both UAS platforms and UTM technologies in real world settings, generating data that will inform industry and regulators and advance the commercial use of drones. This multimillion dollar effort that is part of CNY Rising, Phase II of the UTM corridor, will advance Project UAS Safe Autonomous Flight Environment and enable Beyond Visual Line of Sight operations in the defined 50-mile corridor.
Major General Marke F. "Hoot" Gibson (ret), CEO, NUAIR Alliance said, "We have identified the most qualified organizations to complete the New York UTM Corridor and expand our UAS testing capabilities. This key step in the procurement process moves the project forward towards becoming the nation's premier test site. With all our state economic and technical support, I think we are well positioned to accelerate the UAS industry and further establish this region as a national leader."
Craig Marcinkowski, Director of Gryphon Sensor Business Area, SRC, said, "SRC Gryphon Sensors is proud to continue its work on Project U-SAFE, a globally leading UTM program, taking place in New York State. The visionary investments by Governor Cuomo, the leadership of NUAIR, and partnerships with NASA, the FAA, Academia and Industry, will help to accelerate the safe integration of UAS into the National Airspace System."
Matt Gilligan, Vice President of Raytheon's Navigation, Weather, and Services Mission Area said,"Drones are playing an increasingly important role in our society, which means we must have low-altitude air traffic management solutions. Raytheon's unique low-power radar technology holds the capability to test both drones and air traffic management technologies in real-world settings and we commend Governor Cuomo's leadership in advancing this critical aspect of the industry."
Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Howard Zemsky said, "By supporting a drone corridor in Central New York, New York State has committed to making strategic investments that will ensure that we are at the forefront of the burgeoning UAS industry and create economic opportunities throughout the region."
Oneida County Executive Anthony Pincente said, "Today's announcement is a major milestone in the process of completing New York's UTM Corridor and brings us that much closer to establishing our region as the epicenter for UAS research and development. It also further solidifies Oneida County's UAS Test Site at Griffiss International Airport as the premier site in the country. I applaud NUAIR on securing these partners and look forward to their efforts in bringing this project to fruition."
Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney said, "This latest milestone for the designated drone corridor in Central New York is great news. Governor Cuomo's commitment to the burgeoning Unmanned Aerial Systems industry in our region has been transformative. As a key part of the CNY Rising economic development plan, our region is truly establishing itself as the global hub for this innovative industry and growing the regional economy."
Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh said, "Syracuse and Central New York is at the epicenter of drone technology. Because of Governor Cuomo's consistent support, our city and region are better positioned to take advantage of this emerging opportunity. These milestone partnerships will have a positive impact and lead to economic development opportunities further strengthening the City and regions' position as a worldwide leader when it comes to UAS innovation and technology."
The UTM corridor enables various use cases such as drone deliveries, infrastructure monitoring, search and rescue, and precision agriculture. Initially, the corridor operation will focus on enabling 55 lb. and below BVLOS small UAS operations. However, the corridor will also support urban mobility efforts and other developments including electric/hybrid vertical take-off and landing aircraft systems to carry people and property in air transportation, including commercial fleet operations with highly automated UAS.
About NUAIR
The Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research Alliance, along with 200+ partners, works to advance unmanned aircraft systems research and to accelerate UAS industry economic development in the region. NUAIR manages operations at one of seven federally-designated UAS test sites in the United States, and is at the forefront of public policy development, commercialization and safe integration of UAS into the National Airspace System. For more information, visit www.nuairalliance.org
About Gryphon Sensors
Gryphon Sensors, an SRC, Inc. company, develops sensor systems that detect, track and identify small unmanned aircraft systems. Leveraging six decades of proven expertise in radar and electronic surveillance sensor research and development from parent company SRC Inc., Gryphon Sensors provides innovative multi-spectrum solutions in the drone security and UAS integration markets. The company is involved in the Federal Aviation Administration's BSNF Pathfinder, FAA Drone Detection Pathfinder, Project UAS Secure Autonomous Flight Environment and NASA's UAS Traffic Management program. www.srcgryphonsensors.com
About Raytheon
Raytheon Company, with 2016 sales of $24 billion and 63,000 employees, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, civil government and cybersecurity solutions. With a history of innovation spanning 95 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration, C5ITM products and services, sensing, effects, and mission support for customers in more than 80 countries. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts. www.raytheon.com
Accelerating CNY Rising
Today's announcement complements "Central NY Rising," the region's comprehensive blueprint to generate robust economic growth and community development. The State has already invested more than $4.7 billion in the region since 2012 to lay the groundwork for the plan - capitalizing on global market opportunities, strengthening entrepreneurship and creating an inclusive economy. Today, unemployment is down to the lowest levels since before the Great Recession; personal and corporate income taxes are down; and businesses are choosing places like Syracuse, Oswego and Auburn as a destination to grow and invest in.
Now, the region is accelerating Central NY Rising with a $500 million State investment through the Upstate Revitalization Initiative, announced by Governor Cuomo in December 2015. The State's $500 million investment will incentivize private business to invest well over $2.5 billion - and the region's plan, as submitted, projects up to 5,900 new jobs. More information is available here.
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