UNLV (University of Nevada Las Vegas) is looking to the skies for its newest course of study: drones.
The university plans to launch a minor degree program in unmanned aerial vehicles sometime next spring. Advocates say these autonomous flying machines, which look like small planes or helicopters, represent a growing opportunity for Nevada’s job market.
We’re trying to create a broad-based economy. This is an exciting opportunity for Nevada students to participate in this new career field.
Doug van Aman, a regional director, Office of Economic Development
While the U.S. military continues to advance its drone technology — most recently landing a UAV on a moving aircraft carrier for the first time ever — many companies now are finally starting to look at ways drones can be used in the civilian world.
Commercial drones have the potential for many practical aplications as we have already shown you in many previous posts. Some of them which are convenient especially for Nevada are for example: counting wildlife in the desert, shooting unique perspectives for movies, public safety surveillance and many more.
A big boom of commercial drones is expected to transform the aerospace industry, which will see $90 billion in revenue worldwide by 2025, according to some economists. And Nevada wants a piece of that pie. State and UNLV officials say the conditions are perfect for Nevada to grow its commercial drone industry since its climate is ideal for year-round flying. Plus, the state already houses several aerospace companies
Nevada is pretty well situated for this industry. It will bring new jobs here, and we want to be able to support that workforce.
Thomas Piechota, UNLV’s interim vice president for research and an engineering professor
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