Drones at SDSU

The mission of this site is to support and enable the innovative use of drones for research and educational purposes. We are dedicated to helping our community navigate FAA and other drone related regulations and university policies, ensuring that all drone activities are conducted safely and legally. This commitment safeguards our academic freedom while fostering a culture of responsible drone operation.

Policies and Guidance

Regulations

InfoReady Application

What Counts as Unmanned Aerial System or Drones?

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), commonly referred to as drones, include both the unmanned aircraft and the equipment used to operate it. Examples include Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Unmanned Aircraft (UA), Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA), Remotely Piloted Vehicles (RPV), and remote-controlled helicopters and multirotor aircraft such as quadcopters, hexacopters, and octocopters. A UAS consists of the aircraft itself as well as associated components such as communication links, ground control stations, and other systems required for the pilot or operator to control the aircraft safely and efficiently.

Purchasing a Drone

To initiate a UAS purchase review, please contact the appropriate department depending on whether you will be using stateside or SDSU Research Foundation funds for the purchase.

SDSU Research Foundation Procurement Department: [email protected]
Stateside SDSU Procurement Office: Service Now Request to Stateside Procure to Pay Team (Requires SDSU Single Sign-On)

On 1/7/26 the FCC amended its covered list to includes ALL new purchases of drones and drone critical components “produced in a foreign country” until 1/7/27 unless they appear on the Defense Contract Management Agency’s (DCMA’s) Blue UAS Cleared List . This creates a ban on procurement of new international UAS and related international critical components if they do not appear on DCMA’s Cleared List. This change does not affect the use of existing drones, which will remain governed by SDSU's University Policy on the Procurement and Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (PDF).