The FirePoint Innovations Center at Wichita State University, in partnership with the Kansas Crewed and Uncrewed Aerial Systems Association and Kansas State University, has announced the launch of the Purple UAS Certification Portal, a new certification pathway built to accelerate the deployment of reliable, mission-ready unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for public safety agencies.

Purple UAS was designed specifically for law enforcement, fire service, EMS, search and rescue, emergency management, disaster response and critical infrastructure operations. The portal delivers a transparent, independent certification process tailored to the unique demands of public safety missions.

“Purple UAS offers a practical path to move advanced technologies out of development and into the field,” said Steve Cyrus, FirePoint executive director. “By streamlining certification and reducing rework, we can help companies bring secure, compliant UAS solutions to the first responders who rely on them.”

“We see strong demand from manufacturers pursuing public safety missions, and Purple UAS meets them with clarity and structure,” said Troy Harding, director of K-State’s School of Integrated Studies.

A defining strength of Purple UAS is its ability to leverage qualifying prior federal certifications, including Blue UAS and applicable Green UAS evidence, to reduce redundant reviews and shorten certification timelines. Existing evidence may be used to meet portions of the Purple UAS framework, while public safety-specific elements undergo independent evaluation to ensure readiness and compliance.

The Purple UAS Portal provides manufacturers and agencies with centralized access to certification guidance, educational materials, pricing, FAQs and online application tools.

“Public safety agencies need purpose-built, FCC-compliant UAS they can trust,” said Roger Powers, KCUASA executive director. “Purple UAS was conceived with those needs at the forefront.”

Manufacturers, public safety agencies and industry partners can learn more at kcuasa.org/purpleuas.

---

Wichita State University is Kansas' only urban public research university, enrolling more than 25,000 students between its main campus and the WSU Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology (WSU Tech), including students from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 countries. Wichita State and WSU Tech are recognized for being student-centered and innovation-driven.

Located in the largest city in the state with one of the highest concentrations in the United States of jobs involving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), Wichita State University provides uniquely distinctive and innovative pathways of applied learning, applied research and career opportunities for all of our students. The National Science Foundation ranked WSU No. 1 in the nation for aerospace engineering R&D, No. 2 for industry- and defense-funded engineering R&D and No. 9 overall for engineering R&D.

The Innovation Campus, which is a physical extension of the Wichita State University main campus, is one of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing research/innovation parks, encompassing over 120 acres and is home to a number of global companies and organizations.

Follow Wichita State on social media:

• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• YouTube
• X | Twitter
• Facebook

FirePoint Innovations Center at Wichita State University accelerates joint technology development, transfer and commercialization between the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, universities, industry and other government organizations. FirePoint aims to support the educational, commercial and workforce development necessary to drive innovation and collaboration across the key Army modernization priorities. FirePoint initiatives support collaboration, partnering, and STEM workforce development to ensure modern Army combat readiness and overmatch in the multidomain battlespace. More information at www.firepoint.info