The program was authorized in the fiscal year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, which Cramer helped craft as chair of the Senate Armed Services Airland Subcommittee.

The cutting-edge systems include high-powered microwave, laser and similar technologies aimed at strengthening protections for critical military facilities and assets against growing unmanned aircraft threats.

“This isn’t just about Grand Forks Air Force Base; it’s about the entire ecosystem,” Cramer said. “It’s the capabilities at the University of North Dakota. It includes Camp Grafton, our wonderful Army National Guard facility that has not only technical capabilities, but good land, and a big range. The North Dakota National Guard is also proficient at UAS and countering-UAS. And of course, the Space Force Station up at Cavalier. The communities of Cavalier, Camp Grafton, Devils Lake and Grand Forks provide a perfect triangle. Along with the relationship that has been developed in our state with the Federal Aviation Administration, which is so critical to opening airspace for testing advanced systems like directed energy. It’s not everywhere you can do that sort of a high tech, kinetic testing. Grand Forks was the perfect place. Our Department of War, our military men and women, our assets on the ground and everywhere else, need to get more proficient at countering small UAS. And JIATF was stood up for that. Grand Forks is prepared for it.”

“The Grand Forks Air Force Base is the natural choice for this new DoW-FAA pilot program, which will test high-powered, directed energy technologies for counter-UAS. We’ve been laying the groundwork for this kind of initiative through efforts like Project ULTRA, the Point Defense Battle Lab and the upcoming T-REX event at Camp Grafton. In fact, AeroVironment, a company we recruited to work with Project ULTRA, has already deployed its directed energy technology in North Dakota for this same purpose, giving our state a head start,” Hoeven said. “We appreciate the DoW for continuing to work with us on establishing new partnerships and opportunities for counter-UAS work in the state.”

John Hoeven

The announcement marks another major milestone for North Dakota’s growing role in national defense, unmanned aerial systems innovation and next-generation military technology development, according to the senators.