Griffiss Airport First Test Site For New Drone System

ROME, N.Y. (AP) — The federal government has picked Griffiss International Airport as the first test site to license a new low-altitude surveillance system for drones.

The RangeVue system at the central New York airport will improve the NUAIR Alliance's ability to monitor air traffic where drone test flights are taking place. The system shows terrain, weather and airspace boundaries in real time and can be called up on tablets and laptops. It also can send emails and text message alerts if a drone is in a danger area.

Exelis developed the RangeVue system over the past six months and plans to market it directly to companies that want to operate unmanned aircraft commercially in the U.S.

The NUAIR Alliance is a consortium of private industry, academic institutions and the military based at Griffiss.