Unmanned Systems: FAA Test Sites, DoD Roadmap

• The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced the 6 sites selected for UAS research: University of Alaska, State of Nevada, New York’s Griffiss International Airport, North Dakota Department of Commerce, Texas A&M University, and Virginia Tech. Nevada is also one of 3 states where self-driving cars can be licensed.

• We missed the Pentagon’s updated long term unmanned system roadmap last week, so here it is [PDF]. After a drop to $4.1B in total UAS funding in FY14, budgets are planned to rebound to the $4.7B-$5.3B/year range over the following 4 years.

• Oskar Levander from Rolls Royce thinks it’s time to have a debate about remote-controlled ships.

• Today’s video reviews the state of self-driving cars:

Naval Procurement

• From USNI, a quick wrap-up of this year’s US Navy acquisition developments.