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ND invests $33 million in UAS infrastructure

BISMARCK – North Dakota will invest $33 million in the unmanned aircraft systems industry, Gov. Doug Burgum and the North Dakota Department of Commerce announced Wednesday. Most of the money will be used to build out infrastructure to support beyond visual line of sight operations.

“With these significant investments, North Dakota has once again sent a loud and clear signal that we are America’s premier proving grounds for UAS research, testing and commercialization,” Burgum said. “Our strong commitment to supporting UAS researchers, entrepreneurs and technology, combined with our open skies, four distinct seasons and industry sectors harnessing the potential of UAS through uses such as automated farming and precision agriculture, ensure North Dakota will continue to grow as a national leader in UAS. The exciting work made possible by our statewide UAS infrastructure network and beyond visual line of sight capability will diversify our economy and create lasting benefits for taxpayers, businesses and industry alike.”

Subject matter experts within the state, including at the Northern Plains UAS Test Site in Grand Forks, will work with federal agencies to ensure regulatory compliance. The $33 million investment includes $28 million for statewide infrastructure, $3 million to upgrade infrastructure at Grand Sky business development park and $2 million to support operations of the Northern Plains UAS Test Site.

With this new commitment, North Dakota will have invested about $77 million to advance UAS research and development within the state.

North Dakota has enjoyed several UAS milestones this past year:

– In May, U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao selected North Dakota as one of only 10 sites nationwide to participate in the federal UAS Integration Pilot Program.

– In July, the first trans-Atlantic flight of a medium-altitude, long-endurance UAS flew from Grand Sky research park near Grand Forks to England, flying 3,760 nautical miles in 24 hours, 2 minutes.

– In August, Grand Sky welcomed U.S. Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson to watch the first flight of a large UAS operating beyond line of sight without the use of a chase plane in controlled airspace.

– In October, the North Dakota Department of Transportation and Northern Plains UAS Test Site, along with their partners, successfully completed the first public mission of the UAS Integration Pilot Program with a drone flight over a tailgating event at the Fargodome.

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