UAV Industry Potential for Oklahoma Big

Oklahoma needs to develop a network of test sites for unmanned aerial systems and support facilities to help the growing industry take off in the state, according to a report released by Gov. Mary Fallin.

Unmanned aerial systems - proponents tend to bristle at the term "drones" - are targeted for billions in federal spending and millions more in potential private development, the report from the Oklahoma Unmanned Aerial Systems Council says.

Fallin released the report at the Farnborough International Airshow in England and wasn't available for comment, but in a June 28 statement she said unmanned systems are the fastest growing part of the aerospace sector, which supports more than 150,000 jobs and $12.5 billion in industrial output in the state each year.

"For that reason, Oklahoma is committed to becoming the number one place for (unmanned aerial systems) operations, research, experimentation, design and testing in the country," Fallin says.

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