Interesting, have you tried searching the FAA database of UAS Part 107 waivers: https://www.faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/part_107_waivers/waivers_issued/ h

Interesting, have you tried searching the FAA database of UAS Part 107 waivers: https://www.faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/part_107_waivers/waivers_issued/ https://www.faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/part_107_waiver... ? If they're non-government/military and are operating legally I think they would most likely have a 107 waiver filed, at least to allow night flying. That does mean they'd still need to be under the weight limit but I think the number of non-107 authorizations, which would allow heavier drones, is very small. Also I'd be surprised if a University research program had the resources to field 17 drones of this size.