Hoeven: General Atomics Training Academy Helps Us Build Grand Forks' Status as Premiere Hub of UAS Industry

Press Release

Senator John Hoeven today joined executives from General Atomics and state and local officials to break ground on the company's $2.5 million training facility for unmanned aerial systems (UAS) pilots at Grand Sky, Grand Forks County's new business and technology park. General Atomics is one of the world's leading developers of high-technology systems, including the Predator and Reaper series of UAS.

Today's groundbreaking follows multiple meetings Hoeven held, in both Washington and North Dakota, with General Atomics leadership, including Linden Blue, CEO of General Atomics, Frank Pace, President of General Atomics Aircraft Systems Group, and Bart Roper, General Atomics Vice President of Strategic Development, Aircraft Systems Group in a bid to locate the training center in the Grand Forks area. In September, Hoeven announced the 10-year lease between Grand Sky and General Atomics.

"General Atomics' new training facility is another exciting addition to the UAS industry in North Dakota," Hoeven said. "We've worked to make the Grand Forks a leader in UAS research and development, and now, with General Atomics and Northrop Grumman on site, the Grand Sky Technology and Business Park hosts two of the world's premiere UAS companies. The region's expertise and reputation will continue to grow, which will lead to even greater opportunities for our state in this thriving industry in the future. I think we've reached a critical mass today."

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