Tulsa Aims to Be World Drone Capital

Tulsa, Oklahoma, is striving to become 'The Drone Capital of the World.' The city's initiative, managed by Tulsa Innovation Labs, aims to build an innovation economy around unmanned aerial vehicles and advanced air mobility, leveraging its existing aerospace base.

Jennifer Hankins, managing director of Tulsa Innovation Labs (TIL), said the roots of the Drone Capital initiative date back to January 2020 with TIL's founding. The group was tasked with building an innovation economy in Tulsa by identifying 'right-to-win' opportunities in future-advanced industries.

International Drone Firms Pick Tulsa

Over the past several years, Tulsa has attracted multiple drone-related companies. Irish delivery firm MANNA recently selected Tulsa as its U.S. base, expecting to create more than 1,000 jobs over three years. AirWise, a drone software platform for public safety, was founded in Tulsa in 2021. Switzerland's WindShape opened a 20,000-square-foot testing facility near Tulsa last September. Israel's High Lander was selected this year to deploy its airspace management platform at Tulsa's Skyway Range.

Hankins said the strategy attracts companies across the entire drone value chain. 'MANNA was really excited to choose Tulsa because we not only have the testing infrastructure... we also have the manufacturing capability where they can produce their equipment and their drones at scale,' she told Dronelife. The city also offers a workforce pipeline.

Local Aerospace Fuels Drone Supply Chain

The presence of international companies spurs growth in American drone technologies by providing a market for domestic parts. Tulsa is home to a major aerospace maintenance, repair, and overhaul cluster. Hankins said the Drone Capital team is studying national drone supply chains to connect local manufacturers with industry needs.

'The testing, the manufacturing: all of those things are really great and already pretty gosh-darn competitive,' Hankins said. She highlighted the scale of public-private partnerships assembled in a short time.

Drone Capital Planning Evolves

Planning took shape in November 2024 when then Mayor G.T. Bynum released a 'Blue Ribbon Commission' report with recommendations for making Tulsa the Drone Capital. The commission involved 19 organizations from public, private, and nonprofit sectors.

Bailey Siegfried, vice president for aerospace firm NORDAM and an Oklahoma Department of Aerospace commissioner, said the effort builds momentum. 'It doesn't just have to be building drones,' Siegfried said. He noted work on unmanned traffic management systems is building the infrastructure for safe, commercial drone operation.

Education and Workforce Pipeline Built

Siegfried also promotes STEM education and created the Siegfried Drone Competition for high school students. Through NORDAM, he participates in regional training initiatives for the drone and AAM sectors. He said bringing students for tours opens their eyes to potential careers in aviation.

The city's approach integrates testing, manufacturing, and workforce development. This ecosystem aims to support the next generation air transportation system.