North Dakota UAS test site declared operational

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GRAND FORKS, N.D. --  U.S. Senators Heidi Heitkamp and John Hoeven brought Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Michael Huerta to North Dakota on April 21, where he announced that the Northern Plains Unmanned Systems Authority, headquartered in Grand Forks, is the nation's first unmanned aerial systems (UAS) test site to be officially up and running.

"Today's announcement by Administrator Huerta that Grand Forks is the first of six sites to be operational reaffirmed what I have always said: North Dakota is a perfect spot for our nation to develop UAS technology and procedures, and help unleash the economic potential of this promising industry," said Heitkamp in a press release.

"Because of the incredibly hardworking, brilliant professionals working on the Test Site and unquestioned support throughout the state, North Dakota stands out from the rest. It is a tribute to so many North Dakotans who worked on this that we are the first Test Site to be up and running, and it's great Administrator Huerta is able to see that for himself today."

Hoeven added that Huerta's announcement that Grand Forks will receive the first Certificate of Authorization to go operational is right on the money.

"This effort started more than a decade ago, first getting the UAS mission to Grand Forks Air Force Base, then setting up the UAS Center of Excellence and passing legislation requiring the six national test sites for integrating UAS into the National Airspace," he said.

"So it is incredibly gratifying today to have Administrator Huerta with today in Grand forks to see all the incredible work that has been done and to be part of this great effort. In a month, Northrop Grumman will partner with Grand Forks County to become the anchor tenant at Grand Sky, a new cutting-edge UAS technology and business park. With our Air Space Integration Team, North Dakota truly is leading the nation in UAS development."

Heitkamp and Hoeven hosted Huerta in Grand Forks, which in December was named one of six sites nationwide to help the FAA move toward UAS integration into the National Airspace.

(Information compiled by 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs)