FAA releases Drone Authorization list: Oklahoma University one of 81 applicants

[osy79]

Here is the story: http://www.theblaze.com/stories/201...horization-list-see-who-applied-to-have-them/

Here is the list of applicants: https://www.eff.org/document/2012-faa-list-drone-applicants

 

[Raoul Duke]

I guess this is our state tax dollars hard at work? Why the hell does OU need a drone? I hope the state legislature will look into this expenditure, but I won't hold my breath.

 

[LightningCrash]

Is it an armed drone?

If not, let me know

 

[TwoForFlinching]

I'm gonna go out on a limb, and just guess the application is to further this useful science... I know it's an extremely crazy thought, but they just might be in it for the science

 

[Raoul Duke]

I'm gonna go out on a limb, and just guess the application is to further this useful science... I know it's an extremely crazy thought, but they just might be in it for the science

Your right, everyone should just assume it's for some unspecified "scientific" or academic purpose.

Being that OU receives public funding they should be justifying this expenditure by specifically identifying the necessity of it, including the purposes it will and will not be used for.

Your remark seems to suggest that it's somehow paranoid or someone is a tin foil hat type to question why and how our tax dollars are spent. It's that kind of thinking and ridicule of asking for answers to legitimate questions that enables government waste, fraud and abuse.

Maybe they do have a legitimate need for a drone, maybe they don't, but the public does have a right to know exactly what that need and the usage is.

It shouldn't take filing a freedom of information act request to get that information, either:

Newly Released Drone Records Reveal Extensive Military Flights in US

 

[loudshirt]

We should probably stop all research on new technology at the University of Oklahoma until we get approval from some OSA members. Seriously the University of Oklahoma does plenty of work for the FAA and The National Weather Service. Hmmm what will be safer and help us learn more about tornadoes a maned or unmanned aircraft flying into the middle. There are plenty of good uses for drones other than flying around shooting at things with Hellfire missiles.

 

[n2sooners]

Drone systems to create Oklahoma jobs, officials say

McKeever said programs already have been developed at Oklahoma State University and the University of Oklahoma to train students in the field. And the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has established a test facility for unmanned aerial vehicles in Elgin that takes advantage of unrestricted air space at Fort Sill.

McKeever said several of Oklahoma's top industries, including agriculture, oil and gas production, and weather research also are prime targets for the commercial application of drones. He added that public safety agencies likely would be the first commercial consumers of the technology, which can be particularly useful in search-and-rescue operations and to survey disaster scenes such as tornadoes or flooding.

 

[dennishoddy]

Is it an armed drone?

If not, let me know

Good Lord, my high school rocket club used camera's back in the late 60's on our launches. Where was the tin foil then?

 

[n2sooners]

Lots of interesting information when searching about Oklahoma and drones. Drone corridors, drone testing, and drone building. OU and OSU are both involved.

 

[sureNsteady]

We should probably stop all research on new technology at the University of Oklahoma until we get approval from some OSA members. Seriously the University of Oklahoma does plenty of work for the FAA and The National Weather Service. Hmmm what will be safer and help us learn more about tornadoes a maned or unmanned aircraft flying into the middle. There are plenty of good uses for drones other than flying around shooting at things with Hellfire missiles.

Ah true, loudshirt, but that isn't fuel for conspiracy. I heard they would be attaching lasers to these to replace the sharks with lasers that they were using in lake Hefner. It's a good thing we have such strong watchdogs here on the forum to ensure our academic resources aren't used for nefarious purposes.