To urge the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to select Ohio as a site for testing the integration of Unmanned Aerial Systems into the National Airspace System.

WHEREAS, The race to design, develop, test, manufacture, and safely integrate and deploy Unmanned Aerial Systems for full operational use in a cooperative manned and remotely piloted operational environment has the potential to reward the United States with a leadership position in emerging domestic and international growth markets; and

WHEREAS, In the next 15 years, more than 23,000 jobs could be created in the United States as a result of integration of Unmanned Aerial Systems in the National Airspace System, according to the Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International; and

WHEREAS, Ohio has a long history of involvement with Unmanned Aerial Systems, including the development of the world's first Unmanned Aerial System, the "Kettering Bug" in 1918 by the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company, and the founding of the Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International in Dayton in 1972; and

WHEREAS, The Air Force Research Laboratory, headquartered at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, is a major Department of Defense center for Unmanned Aerial Systems research, which maintains specialized equipment, including a unique array of research radars, and employs trained scientific and engineering personnel who can assist with Unmanned Aerial Systems-related airspace integration issues; and

WHEREAS, The Air Force Research Laboratory conducts research related to Unmanned Aerial Systems for airframes, propulsion systems, sensors, communications, and man-machine interfaces; and

WHEREAS, The United States Air Force acquisition management for major Unmanned Aerial Systems aircraft is located at the Aeronautical Systems Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio; and

WHEREAS, The Ohio National Guard maintains Brush Creek and Buckeye Military Operating Areas, formerly restricted airspace, which are well suited for small Unmanned Aerial Systems Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation and which could be used safely for testing the integration of Unmanned Aerial Systems in the National Airspace System with minimal disruption to air traffic flow while at the same time not compromising the safety of general aviation; and

WHEREAS, The Wilmington Airpark, Springfield Air National Guard Base, Brush Creek Military Operating Area, and Buckeye Military Operating Area have the infrastructure, facilities, and excess capacity that make adaptation to specific Unmanned Aerial Systems test needs efficient, timely, safe, and inexpensive; and

WHEREAS, Collaborative relationships are well established in Ohio for research, development, testing, training, and manufacturing of Unmanned Aerial Systems including universities, manufacturers, researchers, workforce developers, the Ohio National Guard, the State of Ohio, and military, commercial, and private airspace users; and

WHEREAS, The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012, Pub. L. No. 122-81, and the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, Pub. L. No. 112-95, require the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to develop a plan to integrate Unmanned Aerial Systems into the National Airspace System and to select test ranges as part of that program; now therefore be it

RESOLVED, That we, the members of the 129th General Assembly of the State of Ohio, conclude that the convergence in Ohio of human capital, technology, test capabilities, facilities, and airspace will create the environment for the breakthrough discoveries that will advance the safe use of Unmanned Aerial Systems in the National Airspace System; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we, the members of the 129th General Assembly of the State of Ohio, urge the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to select Ohio as a site for testing the integration of Unmanned Aerial Systems into the National Airspace System; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Clerk of the Senate transmit duly authenticated copies of this resolution to the President of the United States, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, the Speaker and Clerk of the United States House of Representatives, the President Pro Tempore and Secretary of the United States Senate, and the members of the Ohio Congressional delegation.