Keller Army Community Hospital (KACH) has received flight approval from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to begin a new phase of Project MARS, a program using drones to deliver medical supplies for military operations.
The initiative moves the project from laboratory and planning stages to real-world operations.
As part of the effort, the FAA issued a Certificate of Authorization permitting controlled drone flights over West Point, New York, through January 2028, with all remote pilots fully qualified and the operations assessed as low risk.
Developed in partnership with the US Military Academy’s Robotics Research Center, Project MARS is designed to improve garrison medical logistics by transporting equipment, medications, and blood products, while also serving as a model for prolonged field care on the battlefield.
From Lab to Real-World
Originally, the program focused on addressing the training needs of US Army Medical Department personnel.
The program has since evolved into a live operational environment, enabling cadets to develop, test, and refine the autonomous medical resupply system while collecting real-world data on routes.
Early flights will follow strict safety rules, including daylight-only operations below 400 feet (122 meters), pre-flight notices issued 24 to 72 hours in advance, and the use of predefined abort zones.
Moreover, the missions will test communication stability, environmental conditions, and route safety.
“Every flight will provide essential data that helps us build a robust, reliable network for autonomous medical resupply,” said Lt. Col. Samuel Teague, the Project MARS Officer in Charge.
“We are moving from the lab to the landscape, ensuring our systems are prepared for the complexities of real-world environments.”
