Harford County Airport has been designated as a Drone Center of Excellence in recognition of advancements in drone research, development, testing and production by two on-site companies, SURVICE Engineering and Malloy Aeronautics.
Representatives for U.S. Sens. Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and U.S. Rep. Andy Harris, officials from Maryland Department of Commerce, state legislators, and local officials attended the designation ceremony on October 23. County Executive Bob Cassilly presented proclamations.
“Drones have unleashed amazing capabilities for delivering payloads and sending real-time information to users in commercial operations, public safety and our nation’s defense,” County Executive Cassilly said. “I am excited that the next generation of drone technologies is being developed right here in Harford County and proud to recognize these efforts.”
SURVICE Engineering, located at the airport since 2020, is a pioneer in drone research and development. The company’s team of engineers and scientists in its Applied Technology Operation research drone technologies and applications and manage a Certificate of Authority at the airport issued by the Federal Aviation Administration. This authority allows drone flight testing across 120 acres up to a ceiling of 400 feet.
Malloy Aeronautics is also located at the airport and focuses on autonomous heavy-lift cargo drone production.
SURVICE, using Malloy as a key subcontractor, was selected by the U.S. Navy to produce drones that provide autonomous logistics resupply capabilities for Marine Corps combat logistics battalions.
