ACUASI

The Alaska Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration, or ACUASI, was established in December 2012 by the University of Alaska Board of Regents in recognition of the importance and growth of the unmanned aircraft program.

It was established under the University of Alaska Fairbanks in the Geophysical Institute where it originated but was given the role of leading all unmanned aircraft programs for the entire system. It was also tasked to pursue opportunities with the FAA such as the FAA test sites.

The program originated in 2001, and over the years has expanded in scope, the equipment it operated, and the variety and complexity of research projects it executed. In 2013 ACUASI submitted its proposal to the FAA to become one of the six test sites established by the 2012 FAA Modernization and Reform Act, and in December 2013 the FAA announced that the University had been selected.

The Pan-Pacific UAS Test Range Complex reports to ACUASI, but also includes principal partners in Oregon and Hawaii as well as 56 non-state partners located all over the US and internationally. Ranges are located in the three states as well as in Iceland, our key international partner.

Institution University of Alaska Fairbanks
Country United States
Infrastructure type Monitoring site
Disciplines Information technology and computing
Mining and extraction
Building and civil engineering
Natural environments and wildlife
Military and defence
Language of operation English
Keywords droneclimate science

Availability

https://acuasi.alaska.edu/pan-pacific-uas-test-range-complex/

The Pan-Pacific UAS Test Range Complex is one of six official FAA test sites in the United States. The PPUTRC spans seven climate zones, allowing UAS manufacturers and potential users to test their equipment in the Arctic, the tropics, and in arid environments. Managed by the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the test site builds upon ongoing work of the Geophysical Institute's Alaska Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration (ACUASI)

Contact information

For front desk contact:

Phone (907) 455-2023

Room 306, Akasofu Building 

For business development contact:

James Parrish (907) 455-2012

Physical Location

While a part of the Geophysical Institute, ACUASI is housed on the 3rd floor of the Akasofu building, co-located with the International Arctic Research Center. This research-focused campus location is ideal for maintaining active collaboration with the UAF research community. 

2160 Koyukuk Drive
Fairbanks, AK 99775

Mailing Address

ACUASI
2160 Koyukuk Drive
PO Box 757320
Fairbanks, AK 99775

Find out more