2 FAA-Designated UAS Test Sites
2.8 Miles of VTTI Smart Road Test Track
85' High Netted Drone Park Facility
Rich in natural resources, activities, and breathtaking views, the outdoors in the NRV provides a constant source of entertainment for adrenaline junkies and leisure-seekers alike. Whether you want to spend your time relaxing on the water, hiking up a mountain, or biking on roads or trails, Virginia’s New River Valley has something unique to offer you.
Whether you want to live downtown or along a country road, Virginia’s New River Valley has a home for you! From apartments to starter homes to high-end golf course living, residents can find a variety of housing options in every NRV community.
The business community in the NRV is very collaborative. Companies like Techsburg, VPT, Maxtena, Optical Cable Corp, and Moog are making this area a hotspot for the UAS industry. Area companies have formed the Ridge and Valley chapter of the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), the world’s largest organization devoted exclusively to advancing the uncrewed systems and robotics industries. The area is also served by the Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council (RBTC), which is a catalyst for innovation, networking, and leadership in the NRV and surrounding regions.
The Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership, which is based at the VT Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science, is one of seven organizations in the entire U.S. that can establish FAA test sites for uncrewed aerial systems. MAAP worked with NASA on Project Wing to research how multiple aircrafts could safely share the same airspace. The region also has a 85′ high drone cage on the VT campus for UAS testing. The NRV is home to 2 FAA test sites: one at Kentland Farms, and one at the Virginia Smart Roads, where companies can safely test their products. The Smart Road is a 2.8 mile test track (above) with weather-making capabilities and extensive research opportunities and is used by companies such as GM and Google.
The history of manufacturing and information technology in the NRV creates a workforce full of innovative problem-solvers with various levels of experience. New River Community College offers Engineering Design Technology and Architectural & Engineering Design Specialization in which students work on Uncrewed Ground and Aerial Vehicle projects. Virginia Tech has the #9 best public college of engineering in the U.S. and produces graduates who are skilled and ready to enter the workforce at a high level. Some of the engineering programs include Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical & Computer Engineering, and Aerospace Engineering.
Nanci Hardwick, Aeroprobe & MELD CEO
The collaborative business community in the NRV is making us a hotspot for the UAS industry. Area companies have formed the Ridge and Valley chapter of the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), the world’s largest organization devoted exclusively to advancing the uncrewed systems and robotics industries. The NRV is also served by the Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council (RBTC), which is a catalyst for innovation, networking, and leadership in the NRV and surrounding regions.
We have a talented workforce supporting the uncrewed systems and robotics industry. New River Community College provides hands-on experience with ground and aerial vehicle projects, while Virginia Tech prepares graduates in engineering, computer science, and aerospace fields. Radford University offers a dedicated Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) program where students gain experience in flight operations and data processing.
Our region also includes community robotics clubs like the Red Beard Pandas. They engage K-12 students in hands-on robotics, supporting workforce development and strengthening the NRV’s tech and uncrewed systems culture.
The Virginia Smart Roads, operated by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) and the Virginia Department of Transportation, are state-of-the-art, FAA-approved research and testing facilities. These closed test-bed tracks feature over seven miles of highways, surface streets, rural roads, and live roadway connectors, with advanced capabilities like weather simulation, lighting controls, and one of Virginia’s tallest bridges. The modular design allows safe testing of real vehicles in realistic environments, supporting research in automated vehicles, driver safety, and transportation technology.
Through Virginia Tech, the NRV has access to multiple drone facilities.
The drone cage on the Virginia Tech campus is a 300’ x 120′ football-field-sized netted facility that allows businesses to explore UAS operations without the constraints of registration, certification, or specialized training.
Kentland Farm has several FAA Certificates of Operation. KEAS laboratory includes a 300-foot paved runway for small UAS and a hangar space suitable for research and events.
The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute also has about 400 acres of aerial space for UAS testing.
MAAP at Virginia Tech supports safe and advanced research in uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS). As an FAA-designated UAS Test Site, MAAP helps organizations design, test, and refine drone operations across a variety of environments. The team works closely with the FAA and industry partners to secure flight approvals, conduct testing, and collect valuable operational data. With mobile command centers, specialized radar and weather equipment, and access to testing sites, MAAP provides the expertise and infrastructure to turn innovative ideas into safe, real-world UAS applications.
A foreign trade zone (FTZ) is a secure and enclosed area, located near or in a Port of Entry. An FTZ is considered to be outside U.S. customs territory, meaning that foreign and domestic materials or merchandise may be moved into it without being subject to U.S. customs duties until the goods enter U.S. commerce. The New River Valley is a part of FTZ #238.
Virginia’s New River Valley is much more than an area with beautiful scenery and diverse people. It is a perfect location to let your business flourish. Explore our available sites and buildings in the NRV that are “A Natural Fit” to help your business grow.
Nanci Hardwick, Aeroprobe & MELD CEO
There are several robotics clubs in the NRV, including the Tuxedo Pandas, a club for students from 7th to 10th grade. They build robots and promote STEM throughout the NRV while participating in the global robotics program For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) Tech Challenge. The pandas even went to China for the World Robotics Conference, which consists of a forum, exhibition, and robot competition.
The drone cage on the Virginia Tech campus is a $1.2 million 300’ x 120’ unmanned aerial vehicle netted facility that is 85′ high. It is a part of a $75 million plan to emphasize intelligent infrastructure. Plus, Virginia Tech’s Kentland Farm has several FAA Certificates of Operation. The primary purpose is to enable experimental research involving small flight vehicles. VTTI also has about 400 acres of aerial space for UAV testing.
VTTI operates the Virginia Smart Roads, a unique, state-of-the-art, closed test-bed research facility, which is an FAA approved testing site. It has weather-making capabilities, one of the tallest bridges in Virginia, and allows testing for real vehicles in realistic settings. The Smart Road was established in 2000 and has hosted 28,000 hours of research. Expansions for testing include a customizable urban track and a rural road.
The Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning (CITL) at Radford University began a drone research program in Spring 2018. Large and small models are being used for simulations, photography, flight protocol development, and battery life extension. One of the program’s ultimate goals is to work with classes on Radford’s campus that are interested in drone technology.
The Engineering Design Program has been recognized by the American Drafting and Design Association (ADDA) as one of the top programs in the country. The program has a focus on “Reverse Engineering” technology, 3D modeling and design, virtual and physical 3D prototyping, Rendering and Virtual Animation.
The Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Components & Maintenance course provides an introduction to the basic equipment and techniques used in maintaining, repairing, and upgrading sUAS to assure airworthiness and proper operation of the other components.
The Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) Remote Pilot Ground School course prepares students for the FAA written examination required to obtain the Remote Pilot certificate with sUAS rating.
Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) is the second largest university-level transportation institute in the U.S. With more than $45 million in annual sponsored R&D expenditures, VTTI is the #1 research facility for both federal and private contracts. It houses 15 research centers and 3 that are nationally known such as the Safety Through Disruption National University Transportation Center.
Virginia Tech research related to UAS is extensive and spans a number of departments and programs. Research areas include guidance and control; sensing and navigation; mobility and actuation; modeling, analysis and design; safety and cybersecurity; power electronics; wireless communication; human/computer interaction; discovery analytics; sociotechnical systems; and transportation.
Andy Schaudt, VTTI Center for Automated Vehicle Systems Program Director
Cardinal News recently reported that researchers at Virginia Tech are working to advance and research technologies that can detect, identify and neutralize unauthorized uncrewed aerial systems.
Wing recently stated that they are expanding their partnership with DoorDash in the United States.
The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute’s Smart Road has played a significant role in advancing automotive safety over the past two decades.
We’d love to talk to you about all NRV has to offer you and your business.
Email us today to learn more about how NRV can support your goals.
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