EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 A $2 million federal appropriation will help the University of Texas at El Paso expand its drone testing and teaching infrastructure, UTEP President Dr. Heather Wilson and Rep. Tony Gonzales announced during a morning event highlighting the growing role of unmanned aircraft systems in West Texas and along the border.<\/p>\n
Wilson said the funding, secured with the help of U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, will support upgrades at UTEP\u2019s drone facilities in Fabens and Tornillo, which are in Gonzales\u2019 district. <\/p>\n
Wilson said the money will allow UTEP to update radar and electrical connections and obtain new counter-drone equipment for UTEP’s Aerospace Center.<\/p>\n
Wilson said the improvements will help UTEP provide hands-on drone training for students and partners at the local, state and federal level, with instruction and experience in remote flight operations, mission planning and execution, data collection, mapping, remote sensing and advanced drone operations.<\/p>\n
She said the expanded infrastructure will also support other academic areas beyond aerospace, including computer science, criminal justice, electrical engineering, computer engineering, data science and artificial intelligence. Wilson said aerial sensors and the data they generate are used across industries including agriculture, mining, law enforcement, national security and search and rescue. The funding will also help pay for staff and students to assist with teaching and research.<\/p>\n
Wilson thanked Gonzales, who represents Texas\u2019 23rd Congressional District, saying he worked with UTEP to secure the funding in an appropriations bill that was recently signed into law. <\/p>\n
\u201cWith your support, the university is better equipped to advance knowledge and prepare people for the jobs of the 21st century,\u201d Wilson said.<\/p>\n
Gonzales, a three-term congressman who sits on the Appropriations and Homeland Security committees, said the region should lead on emerging drone technology.<\/p>\n
\u201cEl Paso is a safe city. El Paso is a warm and welcoming city. El Paso is a city built on innovative research. And at the heart of all of that is UTEP, right?\u201d Gonzales said.<\/p>\n
He said he was \u201cvery privileged\u201d to partner with Wilson and UTEP on the program and to help deliver the funding. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re not just waiting. We\u2019re not just seeing. We\u2019re not just talking about it. We\u2019re leading and we\u2019re changing the world,\u201d Gonzales said.<\/p>\n
Wilson also recognized several attendees, including Ysleta del Sur Fire Department Capt. Mark Martin Dominguez and El Paso International Airport Director of Aviation Tony Nevadas.<\/p>\n
WATCH FULL PRESS CONFERENCE:<\/p>\n
UTEP Aerospace Center<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
RECOMMENDED: UTEP hits record spring enrollment at 24,901 students, up 4.4% from 2025<\/a><\/p>\n