Domestic UAV use a job creator

ARLINGTON, Va., March 13 (UPI) -- More than 70,000 U.S. jobs will be created in the first three years following integration of UAVs into national air space, an industry-sponsored study says.

The 70,000 jobs would be in the first three years of the integration of unmanned aerial vehicles -- expected in 2015 -- and more than 100,000 jobs would be created between then and 2025.

"This is an incredibly exciting time for an industry developing technology that will benefit society, as well as the economy," said Michael Toscano, president and chief executive officer of the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International.

"In recent years, unmanned aircraft technology has grown remarkably and is already proving useful in a range of domestic applications. Integrating UAS into the national airspace will lead to new and expanded uses, which means the creation of quality, high-paying American jobs."

The AUVSI, the study sponsor, said the projected economic impact in the first three years of integration would be more than $13.6 billion and would be more than $82.1 billion from 2015-25.

Job creation and effects would be strongest in states with regulatory structures and infrastructures favorable to domestic use of UAVs for public safety functions and for agriculture, in which unmanned aerial systems could help in crop monitoring and pesticide distribution.