Congressman Cohen Announces $21.1 Million U.S. Navy Contract with the University of Memphis to Develop an Unmanned Systems Degraded Environment Facility

MEMPHIS - Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today announced that the University of Memphis will receive U.S. Navy funding of $21,184,191 over 48 months to develop an Unmanned Systems Degraded Environment Facility for testing drones in complex and controllable airflow patterns. The funding was awarded based on competitive bids solicited in 2022 and will produce a facility for testing unmanned vehicles and Naval simulators under degraded visual conditions. Most of the work on the project (82 percent) will be conducted in Memphis; other parts of the project will be performed in Tucson, Arizona; Orlando, Florida; and Columbia, Missouri.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

"As the Ranking Member of the Transportation and Infrastructure's Subcommittee on Aviation, I have long supported the University of Memphis' headlong leap into the unmanned aerial technologies of the future. This Navy contract will demonstrate the University's critical national role in developing and testing these technologies, while helping create the cutting-edge aviation workforce of the mid- and late-21^st century. I congratulate the University on this prestigious contract award."

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