Homeland Security launch training drones at Camp Shelby

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate kicked off it's partnership with Mississippi for test and evaluation of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) Tuesday at Camp Shelby.

DHS Science and Technology Undersecretary, William Bryan, said Camp Shelby is the home of sUAS — drones — for conducting of various technology assessments related to military defense.

Mississippi State University president, Dr. Mark E. Keenum shared how MSU officials teamed with Camp Shelby to gain the partnership with Homeland Security in effort to continue aerospace research.

“When I think about young students who will also benefit from this is tremendous. And our Mississippi State University, our air space engineers and mechanical engineers and on across the board, students will have the opportunity to be invested in this new budding field of technology,” Dr. Keenum said.

Homeland Security said drone testing will help with border security, search and rescue and real time law enforcement. " DHS Science and Technology Directorate and our operational components will be utilizing this facility to conduct various technology assessments right here at Camp Shelby,"

"Our unmanned aerial systems program use many different environments to assets the performance of UAS payload such as sensors and cameras that can be carried on a variety of small platforms," Bryan said.

Bryan also stated, the privacy of Mississippians will continued to be protected during drone testing.