Amazon threatens to take more drone research offshore

Amazon says its plans to develop a fleet of small drones to deliver packages are being hampered by federal regulations, and the company is threatening to take more of its research efforts abroad instead.

In a letter sent to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) officials earlier this week, company officials said they've been testing the Amazon Prime Air drone-delivery service indoors in Washington state. Now, they need to practice flying outdoors to test real-world conditions, wrote Paul Misener, the company's vice president of global public policy.

"Without the ability to test outdoors in the United States soon, we will have no choice but to divert even more of our ... research and development resources abroad," Misener wrote to the FAA. "Amazon is increasingly concerned that, unless substantial progress is quickly made in opening up the skies in the United States, the nation is at risk of losing its position as the center of innovation for the
(unmanned aerial systems) technological revolution, along with the key jobs and economic benefits that come as a result."

The letter was previously reported by The Wall Street Journal.

Drones are a catch-all name for remote-controlled airplanes and helicopters. While enthusiasts have been flying model planes for years, inexpensive guidance chips and systems initially developed for mobile phones, along with better battery technology, have created a massive marketplace. Consumer-friendly drones equipped with HD video cameras are a hot Christmas present this year, and so many tourists have been flying drones that they've been banned in national parks.

Experts and the delivery industry say drones could also revolutionize American commerce by diverting truck traffic from congested roads. Amazon's founder, Jeff Bezos, announced the drone plan a year ago via a 60 Minutes interview, telling the world he planned to have the service running in 4-5 years.

In his letter, Misener laid out how Amazon wants to conduct outdoor drone research, and asked regulators to approve the company's plans as previously requested.

The FAA has essentially banned the commercial use of drones without specific permission, and has also told journalists they aren't to fly them over fires or disasters, even through search-and-rescue groups say they've proven invaluable. The FAA, under orders from Congress, is developing rules to permit domestic drone use.