U.S. private drone industry predicts to add 13.6 billion dollars to economy

WASHINGTON, March 12 (Xinhua) -- The largest trade group for unmanned aircraft industry in the United States on Tuesday predicted the industry could add 13.6 billion dollars to the U.S. economy and create 70,000 American jobs in next three years.

"In recent years, unmanned aircraft technology has grown remarkably and is already proving useful in a range of domestic applications," Michael Toscano, president and CEO of the Association of Unmanned Vehicles Systems International.

The industry will add 13.6 billion dollars to the economy and produce 70,000 jobs in the first three years following the integration of unmanned aircraft systems into U.S. national airspace system, according to a latest study released by the trade group.

It could produce 100,000jobs and an estimated economic impact of 82.1 billion dollars between 2015 and 2025, the study showed.

The study found that nationally the precision agriculture industry is expected to be the largest market for the booming drone industry.

The trade group has ramped up its lobbying efforts recently in an attempt to push the Federal Aviation Administration to move on a plan that would allow for drones over U.S. skies, the Hill reported. Congress has ordered the agency to select six domestic sites to test the safety of drones.

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