Drones

The BVLOS drone community in North Dakota receives a $ 20 million increase

Source: Vantis

North Dakota’s official, statewide drone system is growing after lawmakers recently approved a $ 20 million grant.

The network known as Vantis is the first of its kind in the United States. The network uses multiple radar stations, surveillance sensors, and command-and-control radios to give drone pilots a “drone perspective” of their surroundings, similar to being in a cockpit. Once fully operational, Vantis will enable drone pilots to more easily follow FAA regulations beyond Line of Sight (BVLOS).

“We are incredibly grateful to have leaders in this state – Governor Doug Burgum, Lieutenant Governor Brent Sanford, our lawmakers – with the foresight to envision and invest in Vantis’ vision,” said Nicholas Flom, Northern Executive Director Plains UAS test site. “It is not an exaggeration to say that Vantis is a groundbreaking initiative. It just doesn’t exist anywhere else in the US at this level. “

Two years ago, NPUASTS, the managing authority of Vantis, received $ 28 million to start the program. At the beginning of the year, Vantis found a home in its new Mission and Network Operations Center in the Grand Sky Business and Aviation Park.

“This significant investment, backed by our government and approved by lawmakers, sends a strong signal that we are committed to building on North Dakota’s status as the nation’s test site for UAS testing, training and marketing,” said Governor Doug Burgum. “As we continue to grow Vantis, we are laying the foundation for the next wave of UAS innovators and entrepreneurs, diversifying our economies, and benefiting all North Dakotans, including those in our critical agriculture and energy sectors.”

Last year, Collins Aerospace, L3Harris Technologies, and Thales USA signed an agreement to work with the Northern Plains UAS Test Site to enable “real, scalable, commercial and public UAS BVLOS operations in North Dakota: composed of four key components:

  • Remote infrastructure of surveillance sensors and command and control radios;
  • Backhaul data network that is scalable and highly reliable;
  • Mission and Network Operations Center with monitoring and system tests;
  • UAS includes aircraft and ground control stations. “

“This continuous investment ensures that Vantis can benefit people and industry across North Dakota,” said Jim Cieplak, program manager for Vantis at NPUASTS. “We have key locations in western North Dakota, but this funding will allow us to begin the larger Vantis rollout so North Dakotans can reap the greatest economic benefits from this technology.”

Jason is a longtime DroneLife employee with a passionate interest in anything technology related. He focuses on anti-drone technologies and the public safety sector; Police, fire brigade, search and rescue services.

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