Rep. Tony Gonzales Secures $2 Million Investment to Expand Drone Research and Teaching at UTEP Aerospace Center

EL PASO, TEXAS -- Today, Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) joined officials at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) to commemorate a $2 million investment to expand drone testing and operations infrastructure at the University's remote facilities in Fabens and Tornillo, Texas. Congressman Gonzales secured the funding through his seat on the House Appropriations Committee.

"Leveraging drone technology is not only key to our economy, but to our national security. The $2 million I secured in federal funding for UTEP's UAS program will expand drone and counter-UAS capabilities while boosting innovation, national security, and job growth in the region," said Congressman Tony Gonzales."UTEP's Aerospace Center continues to be a leader for top-tier research, and I applaud President Wilson, her team, and UTEP's faculty for their partnership on this critical project."

The funding will expand UTEP's unmanned aerial systems facilities in Fabens and the drone flight test range in Tornillo and includes updates like radar and electrical enhancement, technology infrastructure, and new equipment. UTEP will also hire staff and students to assist with teaching and research.

UTEP's UAS facilities will also help meet the growing demand for drone training for aerospace, agriculture, criminal justice, computer science, and emergency management.

"This appropriation will help build our infrastructure for research in drone and counter-drone technology," said UTEP President Heather Wilson."We are grateful to Congressman Gonzales' support of this project, which will help not just UTEP, but the entire region."

"This isn't just about flying drones - it's about solving real challenges in border security, disaster response, and infrastructure monitoring," said UTEP Aerospace Center Executive Director Shery Welsh, Ph.D."We're opening the door to cross-campus, cross-industry and governmental collaborations that will redefine what's possible in unmanned systems research and accelerate the deployment of advanced technologies that keep the United States at the forefront of real-world operations."

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