Kansas State part of group seeking drone test site

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - Kansas State University is part of a team of three universities and multiple businesses vying to be picked by the Federal Aviation Administration as one of six test site for drones.

Kurt Barnhart of Kansas State says the team includes members outside Kansas and that they envision the test site including multiple locations. In Kansas, the drones would be tested primarily in airspace near Salina.

Barnhart declined to provide other details, including the names of its university and business partners, saying providing too much information could put the team at a competitive disadvantage.

The FAA made a request for proposals last month. The agency is required to develop sites where civilian and military drones can be tested in preparation for integration into U.S. airspace that's currently limited to manned aircraft.