Florida targets UAVs

FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. -- Two speakers at the Okaloosa County Economic Development Council's symposium Friday said the field of unmanned aerial systems is a target area for the state and Northwest Florida. Gray Swoope, president and CEO of Enterprise Florida, said the development and operation of unmanned vehicles is one of the fastest growing fields in the country. Mark Bontrager, vice president of Space Florida, said the federal government soon will designate six areas of the country for unmanned air flights, and he hopes one or more will be in Florida. The EDC already has made unmanned vehicles a priority and created a group last year focused on bringing more development to the area. (Source: Northwest Florida Daily News, 01/13/12)