HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — Nevada officials are taking another step to boost a fledgling unmanned aerial vehicle testing industry, with the development of a drone testing facility adjacent to a state college campus in Henderson.
A ceremony Wednesday at Nevada State College will highlight plans by the Nevada Institute for Autonomous Systems and the city of Henderson to build a 6-acre facility.
It'll be called the Henderson Unmanned Vehicle Range.
Officials say when it's built, it'll feature a 150-foot runway, four vertical landing pads, an observation tower, a flight operations control center and a netted drone area.
Institute official Mark Barker tells the Las Vegas Sun the aim isn't to attract hobbyists.
It's for commercial entities and organizations, and maybe the Defense Department, to test small drones weighing less than 55 pounds.