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Pendleton, Oregon, is a rural city located in the foothills of the Blue Mountains with a population of about 17,070 residents. Known for its agricultural heritage and Western traditions, Pendleton combines small-town charm with modern amenities. It serves as the county seat of Umatilla County and is famous for events like the Pendleton Round-Up rodeo and its historic woolen mills.

The annual Round-Up is part of the largest rodeo association in the world, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA). The event brings roughly 50,000 people to the city, providing a major source of income for locals. Additionally, Pendleton hosts the Pendleton Whiskey Music Festival each year. Major recording artists have performed at the festival over the years. While the city has become known for such annual events, Pendleton is looking to make its mark in technology by investing in the growing drone industry.

In 2014, the city decided to revitalize the World War II Pendleton Army Airfield, now known as the Eastern Oregon Regional Airport. In 2017, as part of the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) mission to integrate drones safely into shared national airspace, the site became one of the initial six drone test sites in the United States.

The Pendleton UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems) Test Range is a vast, FAA-approved drone testing corridor spanning approximately 14,000 square miles across Eastern Oregon. It is one of the nation’s premier Beyond Visual Line Of Sight (BVLOS) testing regions, enabling commercial, defense, and advanced air mobility developers to conduct flights under realistic conditions with necessary regulatory clearance. Since its inception, the range has fostered innovation by offering airspace flexibility and safety infrastructure that few other UAS test environments can match. The sheer scale of this corridor allows multiple concurrent tests, large-scale deployments, and pioneering work in drone autonomy and coordination over rugged terrain.

“Our mission,” the Pendleton UAS Test Range states on its website, “is to provide fast, flexible, and turnkey solutions for UAS testing and development that drive industry innovation, support local economic growth, and attract investment to the state of Oregon.” To further advance this mission and embrace the expanding demands on the drone industry, Pendleton is building a new drone hangar at the Eastern Oregon Regional Airport. This facility will cover 18,000 square feet and is designed to support a broad range of drone activities, including commercial drone services, defense-related operations, and advanced air mobility projects.

The hangar project is a joint effort funded by multiple sources. In 2024, the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee allocated $2 million to upgrade the existing B-17 hangar at the airport, which will house the drone facility. The Oregon Unmanned Aerial Systems Accelerator, an organization dedicated to advancing drone innovation, has also played a key role in driving the project forward. Joseph Wyno, executive director of the accelerator, explained the significance of the hangar, saying, “This facility provides a critical space for small startups and entrepreneurs to commercialize autonomous systems and robotics.”

The goal of the drone hangar is to establish Pendleton as a leading hub for drone testing, development, and operations. The dedicated space is intended to attract industry leaders and innovators, creating new economic opportunities in the region. In addition, the facility will support workforce development through training and education in drone technology. Local officials expect the hangar to be a catalyst for economic growth and to position Pendleton at the forefront of the rapidly evolving drone industry.

Pendleton City Manager Mark Morgan expressed optimism about the project, stating, “Our community is excited about the possibilities this hangar brings for technology and jobs.” The construction is underway and is anticipated to open soon, with the project’s total cost reflecting a significant investment in the city’s future. As Pendleton moves forward with the drone hangar, it is preparing to become a major player in the unmanned aerial systems sector.

The city’s commitment to innovation and collaboration highlights its vision of creating a thriving technological ecosystem. With the combined support of federal and state funding and the expertise of organizations like the Oregon Unmanned Aerial Systems Accelerator, Pendleton is well positioned to become a premier destination not only for rodeo and music fans but also for drone testing and development in the years ahead.

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