NPAUSTS UAS Set Site Celebrates 10th Anniversary

The Northern Plains UAS Test Site (NPUASTS) in Grand Forks, North Dakota, is celebrating its 10th anniversary, marking a decade of significant contributions to the unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) industry.

Since its inception in December 2013, the site has been instrumental in developing systems, rules, and procedures to integrate UAS safely into the National Airspace System.

This FAA-designated test site has supported North Dakota's growing UAS sector through research, consulting, flight testing, and providing access to essential facilities and assets. As part of its anniversary celebrations, the NPUASTS is actively participating in key UAS and autonomy conferences, including the upcoming AUVSI XPONENTIAL.

The AUVSI XPONENTIAL conference, scheduled from April 22-25 at the San Diego Convention Center, will feature prominent NPUASTS leaders who will contribute to various presentations. Notable sessions include:

• Elevating Aviation Cybersecurity by Chris Theisen, Director of Research and Development, on April 23 at 2:30 p.m. PDT.
• Shaping Tomorrow: North Dakota's FAA Exemption by Erin Roesler, Deputy Executive Director, on April 24 at 10:30 a.m. PDT.
• Transforming Healthcare Access: MHA Nation's Drone Delivery Initiative by Landon Johnson, Project Manager, and;
• Vantis: Revolutionizing UAS Operations Through Shared Infrastructure by Trevor Woods, Executive Director, both on April 25.

Executive Director Trevor Woods pointed out the team's achievements over the past decade, emphasizing their role in driving new initiatives, shaping policy, and advancing technology. The test site plans to continue supporting local, state, and tribal governments, aiding in community capability building, and maintaining a collaborative relationship with the Department of Defense to bolster national security.

This anniversary not only reflects on past achievements but also sets the stage for future innovations that the NPUASTS will spearhead in the evolving realm of UAS technology.

FMI: https://www.npuasts.com/