# USACE Expands UAS Training Program

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Aviation Program Office is enhancing its unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) capabilities by expanding a multi-day training course designed to certify personnel in safe and efficient drone operations. This program, compliant with Army, USACE, and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) standards, has trained over 600 operators since 2020 and leverages standardized tools such as the Operator's Tool for Information Collection (OPTIC) to ensure regulatory compliance and operational consistency. The training enables USACE employees to remotely collect multidisciplinary data, reducing the need for hazardous fieldwork and lowering operational costs.

- **Why this matters:** Procurement professionals should note the growing demand for UAS-related training services and technology solutions that support regulatory compliance and operational efficiency within federal engineering projects.
- The program's success indicates opportunities for vendors specializing in UAS training platforms, data collection tools, and safety management systems.
- Agencies and contractors involved in infrastructure, environmental, and engineering projects may benefit from integrating UAS capabilities to enhance project timelines and reduce field risks.
- Organizations supporting USACE operations at Redstone Arsenal and Huntsville, Alabama, should consider aligning offerings with the evolving UAS training and operational standards.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military
**Topics:** Digital Infrastructure
**Published:** September 16, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Aviation Program Office (USACE APO)
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Engineering and Support Center, Huntsville (USACE Huntsville Center)
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

### Key Quotes
> We can condense project and survey timelines, which eliminates the cost of multi-day field deployments while keeping our personnel safe by removing them from potentially hazardous areas.
> — Ray Illman, Aviation Safety Officer

### Sources
- [DVIDS - News - Eyes in the Sky: USACE training expands UAS capabilities](https://www.dvidshub.net/news/574872/eyes-sky-usace-training-expands-uas-capabilities) - DVIDS