The UAS Center at SBD: Where Uncrewed Aviation Meets Real-World Operations

In unmanned aviation, not every test environment is created equal.

Some locations offer open space. Others offer access to airspace. A few offer facilities that support training or demonstrations. What makes the UAS Center at SBD stand out is the way those elements come together in one place under real operational conditions. For organizations looking at testing, validation, training, or regional partnership opportunities, San Bernardino is becoming a place worth watching closely. To hear directly from Kimberly Benson and Dave Krause about what makes the Center distinct, be sure to watch the featured video included with this post.

Located at San Bernardino International Airport on the former grounds of Norton Air Force Base, the UAS Center at SBD represents a larger story about transformation. What was once a historic military logistics hub has become part of a forward-looking aviation environment where emerging technologies can be tested, demonstrated, and refined in ways that go beyond theory. The Center got its start in 2020 under Kimberly Benson’s leadership. Influential Drones supported that vision early and formally began teaming with the Center in 2022 as momentum continued to build around the effort.

A major part of that story is the Norton Test Range. As an affiliate of the University of Alaska Fairbanks UAS Test Site, the range offers a structured pathway that sets it apart from many ordinary flying locations. For operators and developers, that distinction matters. It means access to a more serious operating environment supported by meaningful infrastructure, not just a place to launch and recover aircraft. The range includes a 10-mile corridor, thousands of acres of land access, and accommodation for both sub-55-pound and over-55-pound aircraft, creating room for a wide range of test and evaluation needs.

That broader environment is a large part of what makes SBD compelling.

The UAS Center at SBD is not simply a test field. It includes a headquarters facility, flight operations support, classroom capability, indoor activity options, and a surrounding airport campus that has already attracted aviation and robotics-related activity. Nearby support resources, regional access, and the operational character of the environment help create a place where testing, coordination, training, and technical problem-solving can happen in a way that feels practical and connected to real use cases. In a sector that often talks about “ecosystems,” SBD offers a strong example of what that can actually look like.

That ecosystem extends beyond facilities and geography. The Center’s relationship with the National Institute of Standards and Technology opens the door for recognized test methods to be incorporated into evaluations where appropriate, supporting more structured benchmarking and technical assessment. For companies working toward advanced development goals or seeking stronger validation pathways, that can add real value. The proximity of Kelly Space & Technology adds another layer, expanding access to nearby component and environmental testing capabilities that support broader system development.

Just as important is the variety of organizations choosing to engage with the Norton Test Range.

Universities are bringing research use cases. Defense-adjacent groups are pursuing operational data to advance technology maturity. Manufacturers tied to commercial aviation are using the site to validate products and concepts. Some organizations are working with aircraft above 500 pounds, while others are exploring wildfire-related applications, an increasingly important area in California where both detection and suppression technologies are drawing attention. Whether the need is research, technical validation, training, or operational readiness, the range of users now showing interest in SBD says a great deal about its versatility.

Even the crewed aviation sector has taken notice. Interest from outside the traditional drone space helps reinforce that the value of SBD is not confined to a narrow unmanned niche. It reflects a broader aviation relevance shaped by accessibility, infrastructure, and operational realism. Krause’s background through Influential Drones adds practical depth and real-world credibility to that environment, reinforcing the Center’s emphasis on disciplined execution, coordination, and testing under the right controls.

Workforce development is another important part of the Center’s role. Through partnership with the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools, the UAS Center at SBD has already supported training for hundreds of drone pilots through the Regional Occupation Program. That makes the Center more than a place for testing. It also makes it part of a broader effort to build capability, create opportunity, and help shape the talent pipeline needed for the future of uncrewed systems.

The timing also matters. With Southern California continuing to grow in importance for logistics, advanced air mobility, counter-UAS, and major event planning ahead of the 2028 Olympics, the strategic relevance of the UAS Center at SBD is only becoming more visible. Combined with the airport’s location within a larger foreign trade zone, the Center’s regional position adds to its appeal for organizations looking to test, validate, collaborate, or establish a stronger foothold in the United States.

From the perspective of Influential Drones, that is exactly why the UAS Center at SBD deserves attention. It reflects what can happen when aviation infrastructure, leadership, operational thinking, and regional partnerships come together in a purposeful way. It is not just about having room to fly. It is about having an environment where technology can be evaluated, people can be trained, and ideas can move closer to real-world application.

The UAS Center at SBD is gaining attention for good reason. With real-world operating conditions, growing partnerships, workforce development, and strategic regional positioning, it is becoming a place where uncrewed aviation can move from concept to execution. To hear more directly from Kimberly Benson and Dave Krause, watch the featured video and take a closer look at what the UAS Center at SBD is building in Southern California.