Hoeven: General Atomics, Grand Sky Development Sign Lease Agreement for UAS Training Academy

Press Release

Senator John Hoeven announced that aviation technology leader General Atomics (GA) and Grand Sky Development Co. have signed a 10-year lease agreement committing GA to establish an unmanned aerial systems (UAS) training academy at Grand Sky, the county's new business and technology park. The agreement also includes an option for another 10 years. The lease is still pending approval by Grand Forks County and the Air Force.

General Atomics, manufacturer of the Predator and Reaper UAS, plans to break ground this fall on a new 16,000 square foot hangar on 5.5 acres of land in Grand Sky to house three aircraft. The company will initially train General Atomics pilots. Eventually, however, the company plans to train pilots from other countries that are purchasing predators, including Great Britain, Italy and the Netherlands. The company intends to train up to 60 flight crews a year using U.S. government-approved curricula.

Hoeven made the announcement this morning in the course of his remarks at the Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Summit and Expo in Grand Forks.

"This is just the kind of leading aerospace company that we want at Grand Sky, doing research, development and training," Hoeven said. "General Atomics and Grand Sky can help to meet the demand for UAS pilot training, including training for U.S. Air Force pilots. At the same time, they will create good jobs and help build Grand Forks as a premier hub for UAS training, research, testing and manufacturing."

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