Oklahoma(OK)

Oklahoma is positioning itself as the "National Proving Ground" for AAM, leveraging its massive aerospace sector and open airspace to lead in autonomous flight validation. As of January 2026, the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics (ODAA) has transitioned from strategic planning to physical infrastructure deployment, specifically in the realm of advanced airspace management.

Infrastructure and Regulatory Framework

The state's strategy is anchored by the Oklahoma Advanced Mobility Strategy, which integrates air and ground autonomous systems into a single economic roadmap.

• FlightHorizon Integration: In February 2025, Oklahoma launched its first major investment in airspace management infrastructure at the Oklahoma Air & Space Port. Using the "FlightHorizon" system, the state now provides automatic detect-and-avoid (DAA) capabilities, replacing human visual observers with electronic ones.
• BVLOS Corridors: Oklahoma is aggressively expanding its Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) testing areas, allowing for high-speed, high-altitude uncrewed flight testing for both military and commercial cargo OEMs.
• Advanced Mobility Advisory Council: This nine-member council continues to advise the Secretary of Transportation on policy, focusing on "open-access" infrastructure to ensure the state’s vertiports can host diverse aircraft types.

Pilot Programs and Manufacturer Support

Oklahoma is utilizing its "pioneering spirit" to attract manufacturers focused on the defense-to-commercial "dual-use" market.

• National Multistate Collaborative: In late 2025, Oklahoma hosted the AAM Multistate Collaborative, leading a forum with other Tier 1 states to harmonize vertiport standards and pilot certification across state lines.
• Economic Impact Goals: The state has projected that its AAM ecosystem will generate $8.9 billion in total economic benefit and 9,000 new jobs by 2045, with early pilot projects for rural medical delivery beginning in the second half of 2026.

Strategic Initiatives and Resources

• Oklahoma AAM Strategy Action Agenda: oklahoma.gov/aerospace/aam
• ODAA Newsroom (AAM Updates): oklahoma.gov/aerospace/news