CCALS Initiatives

Fueling the Growing UAS Industry in Virginia

The Cardinal Center for Autonomy and Energy is launching as a preeminent national resource for the development, testing, and deployment of unmanned aerial systems (UAS). Led by CCALS with funding from the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission’s Energy Ingenuity Fund (TRRC) the Virginia Department of Energy, the Virginia Department of Aviation, Richard Bland College Foundation, the UAS Center at SBD, and George Mason University’s Rapid Prototyping Research Center, the Center will feature multi-site operations in including Richard Bland College (Petersburg) and three strategically positioned general aviation airports located in Danville, Dinwiddie County, and Wise County.

A hub for UAS innovation
The establishment of the Center is the direct result of the findings of two planning grants (also funded through the TRRC Energy Ingenuity Fund). The first, an assessment of Potential Hydrogen and Hydrogen-Hybrid Applications in Southern Virginia, and the second, a feasibility study to assess the need for an Energy-Centric UAS Center in the TRRC Footprint identified a unique, time sensitive opportunity to combine the two initiatives and position the TRRC region as a hub for UAS innovation.

As UASs are increasingly employed as critical tools for enhancing safety, efficiency, and responsiveness in energy-related operations – from aerial inspections of transmission lines and pipelines to rapid-response surveying, environmental monitoring, and facility safety checks, drones are transforming how energy infrastructure is managed and maintained. The need to evaluate and embrace forward-facing capabilities in Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS), extended endurance propulsion, advanced communications, and ultimately Autonomous Air Mobility (AAM) capabilities call for the collaboration of cross-domain stakeholders from higher education, workforce training, industry, and government to ensure the region and nation can benefit from this evolving technology landscape.

The Center brings together capabilities in advanced propulsion (including hydrogen and hydrogen-hybrid), RF spectrum awareness, integrated sensing and communications, cyber-physical systems, and advanced manufacturing and validation.

Center offerings include:

Hydrogen-Hybrid UAS flight testing and infrastructure placement.
Secure communications systems and RF/ISAC evaluation environments.
FAA-compliant BVLOS testing corridors, data collection and analysis.
Workforce training aligned with industry recognized credentials/standards including FAA and NIST.
Technology demonstration projects for public and private partners.
Advanced manufacturing and drone validation.
Dual-use prototyping for defense and critical infrastructure missions.
AAM system modeling, deployment, and regulatory alignment

Positioning the Commonwealth for success
More than just a single initiative, this project adds key capabilities to the Commonwealth’s UAS and AAM portfolio. By fostering collaboration and continuing to advance the conversation, CCALS is helping the TRRC footprint and the Commonwealth unlock the potential of UAS technologies to support sustainable energy infrastructure, create workforce opportunities, and drive economic growth.

Center @ a Glance

The establishment of this Cardinal Center for Autonomy and Energy is the direct result of two planning grants also funded from the TRRC Energy Ingenuity Fund.
The work done under the planning grants directly pointed to a unique opportunity for the Center and TRRC footprint to be a pillar in the Commonwealth’s UAS and Autonomous Air Mobility (AAM) portfolio by providing unique capabilities including Hydrogen availability and RF/Communications testing.
Each of the four sites will have hydrogen-hydrogen hybrid fuel availability. With the accelerated emphasis on Beyond Visual Line of Site (BVLOS) operations, offering locations to test enhanced endurance capabilities both for small UAS and larger AAM vehicles is a distinct competitive advantage for the region and Commonwealth.
The Center will provide strategic testing, training, and demonstration capabilities at four locations in Southern and Southwestern Virginia – Richard Bland College and three general aviation airports – Dinwiddie, Danville, and Lonesome Pine (Wise County).
The Center will advance technologies and applications to support Energy and Energy adjacent industries as they increase the use of UAS (drones) and ground support technologies to improve safety, efficiency, effectiveness, and bridge workforce gaps.

Articles

Cardinal Center for Autonomy and Energy Gets New Branding

New branding and marketing for the Cardinal Center for Autonomy and Energy was developed by a team that included CCALS summer fellows and Economic Development.

CCALS Summer Fellows Work to Brand, Market New UAS Center

CCALS summer fellows are working with Economic Development to develop branding and marketing for new UAS Center

Public Safety UAS Needs Survey

We invite members of the Virginia public safety community to participate in a brief survey to help us better understand your operational needs. Please respond by April 15, 2026.

Ribbon Cutting Marks Launch of Cardinal Center for Autonomy and Energy Funded by the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission

CCALS announces the establishment of an Energy-Centric Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Center for Critical Infrastructure, made possible through a $490,000 grant from the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission’s (TRRC) Energy Ingenuity Fund.