Drone industry could generate up to $82bn in the next 10 years

Once the US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) rolls out its new regulations for commercial drone flying, the industry could create more than 100,000 manufacturing jobs and bring an economic benefit of $82bn. Just as effective as regular aircraft and a fraction of the price of helicopters, drones represent a much more cost effective and simpler alternative for carrying out many everyday tasks. For the agricultural industry, particularly farming, drone usage can be an intriguing innovation that offers farmers greater precision for looking after their livelihood due to the drone’s ability to fly over fields and report back on farm yields, track plant disease, and scare away animals to prevent crop damage. Public safety can also be enhanced drones, as it is possible for them to be fitted with high resolution cameras or thermal imaging devices, in order to aid the effectiveness of search and rescue operations. Universities, local authorities, real estate and media companies will also be able to find a plethora of uses for drones, and we have seen an increase drone use in the energy industry for inspections of rigs, power lines and water supplies. So far 2,500 petitions granted by the FAA to date for people to start flying drones commercially, signifying the possibility of an exciting new revenue stream for the US.

REUTERS/U.S. Air Force/Tech. Sgt. Effrain Lopez

The US military has invested heavily in drone technology over the past decade, but unmanned aircraft have plenty of uses beyond the battlefield.

Once the FAA finalizes its regulations for unmanned aerial systems — more commonly referred to as drones — the industry has the potential to create more than 100,000 manufacturing jobs and bring an overall economic benefit of $82 billion.

Just how useful can drones be?