Memphis International Airport has carried out drone demonstrations as part of the US Department of Transportation (US DOT) Unmanned Aerial Systems Integration Pilot Program (UAS IPP).
The UAS IPP programme aims to conduct advanced drone operations in selected airspaces in a bid to generate data and knowledge for UAS policymaking in the future.
At the airport, the programme concentrated on the inspection of aircraft, as well as surveillance of security/perimeter fence and security monitoring of the ramp.
The test of UAS follows selection of Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority (MSCAA) by the US DOT in May this year.
Drone operations were carried out at Agricenter International and included simulated runway and perimeter security inspections in addition to safety and backup procedures for drone operations.
Additionally, the UAS IPP seeks to carry out advanced drone operations in selected airspaces to produce data and knowledge for future UAS policymaking.
The programme will be conducted over the next two to three years.
MSCAA has partnered with the City of Memphis, Memphis Police Department, Memphis Fire Department, Agricenter International, the Tennessee Department of Transportation Division of Aeronautics, the University of Memphis, GE subsidiaries AirXOS and Avitas, Intel, Flirtey, 901Drones, and ForeverReady Productions to execute the programme.
901Drones coordinated the operations, with the Memphis Fire Department and representatives from other partner organisations attending the demonstration.
The UAS IPP will be used to speed up the safe integration of UAS into the national airspace and to realise the benefits of unmanned technology in the US economy.
