The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma (CNO) has been selected by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) as one of two new national Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) test sites, marking a major milestone for the Tribe’s leadership in advanced aviation and emerging technologies.
U.S. DOT Secretary Sean Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford announced the designation Thursday, making the Choctaw Nation one of only nine FAA-designated UAS test sites nationwide. The second newly designated test site is the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. These are the first new test sites approved since 2016.
“This designation is a meaningful step forward for Choctaw Nation and for the future of aviation in Oklahoma,” said James Grimsley, executive director of Advanced Technology Initiatives for CNO. “Being named an FAA-designated UAS test site positions us as industry leaders in drone technology, selected based on capabilities, past performance and our reputation. It’s also rewarding to be the first tribal-owned program selected.”
