Drone tests approved for sites in 6 states

Drones, now mostly used by the military, will soon be tested for potential commercial activities. Drones, now mostly used by the military, will soon be tested for potential commercial activities. Photo: Richard Velotta, Associated Press Photo: Richard Velotta, Associated Press Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Drone tests approved for sites in 6 states 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Washington --

After a fierce nationwide competition that offers potentially big economic benefits for the winners, six sites were selected Monday to test how drones can be more widely used in U.S. airspace.

The Federal Aviation Administration announced the selection of sites in Alaska, Nevada, New York, North Dakota, Texas and Virginia.

California, vying to become the Silicon Valley of robotic aircraft, was among the losers in the 24-state competition.

"These test sites will give us valuable information about how best to ensure the safe introduction of this advanced technology into our nation's skies," Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said in a statement.

The FAA does not allow commercial use of drones, but in 2012, Congress directed the agency to draw up rules for incorporating the remotely piloted aircraft in U.S. airspace by 2015.

FAA Administrator Michael Huerta has estimated that 7,500 small drones could be aloft within five years.

The remotely piloted aircraft could be used for activities such as spotting wildfires, helping police track criminal suspects, scouting film locations and inspecting pipelines.

California was thought to be a favorite in the competition, considering it is home to the nation's major drone makers.

Huerta said in a call with reporters that the agency considered factors such as geographic and climatic diversity, availability of ground infrastructure, the type of proposed research, the aviation experience of the applicants and the volume of air traffic near the test sites.

The testing comes amid concerns among the public and lawmakers that greater use of drones will violate privacy rights.

Giving drones greater access to U.S. skies moves the nation closer to "a surveillance society in which our every move is monitored, tracked, recorded and scrutinized by the authorities," the American Civil Liberties Union declared in a report last December.

Huerta said he expects the first test site to begin operating within 180 days.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.