The two-year COA will support research expected to help emergency responders but could be useful for industrial purposes, the center said in an announcement.
The small craft leased by the UAS Center is a rotocopter weighing 15 pounds with a payload capacity of 10 pounds.
Flight tests will happen at Wilmington Air Park in Clinton County.
“We will continue to support safe and cost-effective research and development efforts across the state in partnership with the FAA, providing the foundation for this rapidly emerging industry,” Ryan Smith, UAS director for the state of Ohio, said in a release.
Once the technology is ready , UC could move it to industry, the center said.
The Association of Unmanned Vehicles Systems International estimates the UAS market in Ohio could hit $2 billion with a potential to create 2,500 jobs over the next 10 years.
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