Nevada UAS Test Site and Eagle Field Airport form strategic partnership

Eagle Field Airport LLC and the Nevada Center for Applied Research (NCAR) at the University of Nevada, Reno have formed a strategic partnership to advance research, development and flight testing of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) technologies.

The partnership brings together Eagle Field’s historic private airfield in California (Federal Aviation Administration ID: CL01) and the FAA-designated Nevada UAS Test Site (NV UASTS), creating a multi-state ecosystem that supports accelerated testing, validation and deployment of next-generation aeronautics technologies.

“Nevada Autonomous and the Nevada UASTS continue to strengthen its national leadership role in uncrewed aerial systems,” the University’s Senior Vice President for Research and Innovation, Mridul Gautam, said. “This collaboration exemplifies how strategic partnerships can accelerate innovation.”

The parties will work jointly to engage with the FAA to explore the potential inclusion of Eagle Field Airport under NCAR’s existing public Certificate of Authorization (COA). This initiative aims to expand flight-testing capabilities while ensuring full FAA compliance and fostering new opportunities for industry, academic and government partners.

Representatives from the University noted that the collaboration aligns with NCAR’s mission to serve as a national resource for applied research and aviation innovation.

“This partnership will expand to California our dynamic, high-volume testing within a rigorous regulatory framework,” Carlos Cardillo, executive director, corporate partnerships at the University and director of NCAR, said. “The Nevada UAS Test Site serves as a catalyst for innovation – transforming complex data into high-quality, actionable research that pushes the boundaries of autonomous flight in areas such as defense, security, public safety and agricultural research.”

Together, these efforts will strengthen regional innovation networks and create new opportunities for industry, government and academic collaboration in emerging aviation technologies.

“With the rapid acceleration of UAS and AAM markets, the industry needs flexible, scalable test ranges where companies can move quickly from prototype to operational demonstration,” Maki Kaplinsky, managing partner of Eagle Field Airport LLC, said. “By partnering with NCAR and the FAA-designated Nevada UAS Test Site, we are establishing a premier test environment for companies ready to validate and deploy at commercial speed.”

This collaboration builds on foundational support from the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) and its Knowledge Fund, which helped launch NCAR and strengthen Nevada’s leadership in autonomous aviation.

“Nevada is advancing its leadership in autonomous and advanced aviation,” Karsten Heise, GOED's Senior Director of Strategic Programs and Innovation, said. “This partnership further strengthens our multistate innovation corridor and reflects how strategic investment through the Knowledge Fund drives new technologies and opportunities for Nevada.”