The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) reports that the Foremost Unmanned Aircraft Systems Test Range may shut down permanently next year due to lack of funding.
The facility stopped operations on September 30, when its federal and provincial funding expired, CBC said, adding that it needs at least CAD 200,000 per annum to stay open.
The range is located about 50 kilometres north of the United States border and is one of only two places in Canada approved for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone testing. The first test flight at Foremost was in 2017. It offers more than 2,400 square kilometres of airspace in an area with no major towns, roads or commercial routes.
General Manager Doug Hanna told CBC that the facility is closed for the winter. “Come spring, we will re-evaluate whether we reopen if there is funding at that time.”
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Image: Foremost UAS Test Range
