Unmanned Aerial Systems

NMSU UAS Flight Test Site

NMSU/PSL is home to the one of the seven FAA approved UAS Test Sites which supports the integration of unmanned systems into the National Airspace System and specializes in unmanned systems flight testing for all classes of UAS.

PSL has a long history with UAS and superior performance for the FAA. We are an industry leader, and have key unique skills to support this work. NMSU is one of the core universities in the FAA UAS Center for Excellence and we are members of the Alliance for System Safety of UAS through Research Excellence (ASSURE Group).

As part of the FAA COE, PSL has supported work in the following areas:

Detect and Avoid (DAA) and Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS)
- This research area focuses on issues related to the detection of potential threats to remain well clear and avoid collisions
- System validation flights – Acoustic, Vision, Radar, and ADSB
Human Factors focused on Visual Observers and ground station design
Detection of UAS near airports – assessing current state of the art
Cyber security with UAS
Disaster Preparedness and Response
Minority STEM Outreach with UAS as the central learning platform for K-12 with UAS Roadshows and summer camps (developed UAS curricula for the FAA)

Air Space & Facilities

Air Space

The UAS FTS operates under an FAA Certificate of Authorization (CoA) that permits UAS flights in over 15,000 square miles of coordinated airspace in southwestern New Mexico.

Access to 10,000 sq/miles in NM up to 15,000 ft and higher
High altitude flight support to 60,000 ft and higher
365 days of great test weather/yr
Access to additional Restricted Airspace (WSMR Call-up)
Access to Class G Airports throughout NM
Portable hangar and logistics support for remote operations
Access to Jornada Experimental Range (USDA)

Facilities

15,000 sq. ft. hangar at Las Cruces International Airport dedicated exclusively to UAS Operations
Propulsion Test Lab

Fleet

Aerostar A and B
AggieLite
Orbiter
Quantum Trinity F90+
Multiple sUAS
Predator surrogate Chase aircraft

UAS Platforms & Flight Support

UAS
Make	Model	Type	Size	Weight (max takeoff)	Wingspan	Endurance	Payload	Max Speed	Max Altitude	Airworthiness Status
DJI	Phantom 3 Pro	Multi- Copter	sUAS	2.8 lbs	1 ft	20 min	Camera Only	15 m/s	Operation Dependant	Part 107
3D Robotics	Solo	Multi- Copter	sUAS	3.9 lbs	1.2 ft	15 mins	Camera Only	15 m/s	Operation Dependant	Part 107
Quantum	Trinity F90+	VTOL/Fixed Wing	sUAS	11 lbs	27 ft	90 mins	1.5 lbs	33 knts	14,800 ft. MSL/400 ft. AGL	Part 107
BAT4	UAS	Fixed Wing	Medium UAS	125 lbs	13 ft	8 hrs	20 lbs	30 knts	10,000 ft. MSL	Public Airworthiness
Aeronautics LTD.	Aerostar B UAS 660	Fixed Wing	Medium UAS	485 lbs	24.6 ft	10 hrs	110 lbs	70 knts	18,000 ft. MSL	Public Airworthiness
Aeronautics LTD.	Aerostar B UAS 659	Fixed Wing	Medium UAS	485 lbs	24.6 ft	10 hrs	110 lbs	70 knts	18,000 ft. MSL	Public Airworthiness
Aeronautics LTD.	Aerolight UAS 250	Fixed Wing	Medium UAS	88.2 lbs	13 ft	2 hrs	20 lbs	30 knts	10,000 ft. MSL	Public Airworthiness
Aeronautics LTD.	Aerostar A UAS 618	Fixed Wing	Medium UAS	440 lbs	21.5 ft	10 hrs	110 lbs	70 knts	18,000 ft. MSL	Public Airworthiness
Aeronautics LTD.	Orbiter UAS	Fixed Wing	Medium UAS	16 lbs	8 ft	1 hr	3 lbs	30 knts	10,000 ft. MSL	Public Airworthiness

Aircraft
Aircraft	Model	Type	Size	Endurance	Max Speed	Max Altitude	Airworthiness Status
Flight Design	CTLS	Fixed Wing	Light Sport	5-7 hrs	120 knts	12500 ft. MSL	FAA Certification
Flight Star	SCll Spider	Fixed Wing	Ultralight	2-3 hrs	60 mph	8500 ft. MSL	Experimental R&D