Hoeven: Beyond-Line-Of-Sight, Unmanned Traffic Management Vital to Integrating UAS Into National Airspace

Press Release

Speaking at the Drone Focus monthly meetup today in Fargo, Senator John Hoeven stressed that beyond-line-of-sight operations and unmanned traffic management (UTM) are key to demonstrating that unmanned aerial systems (UAS) can be safely integrated into the national airspace and are vital in advancing the UAS industry in North Dakota.

"The path forward for North Dakota's UAS industry lies with beyond-line-of-sight operations and the development of an unmanned traffic management system," Hoeven said. "These are key components in demonstrating that UAS, no matter the size, can be operated safely in our national airspace. We have worked hard to make our state the ideal partner in these efforts. Between the Northern Plains Test Site, Grand Sky, our research institutions and our Air Force and Air Guard missions and capabilities, we are well-positioned to lead the way on the future of UAS research, development and training."

BEYOND-LINE-OF-SIGHT OPERATIONS

Hoeven has continued his efforts to secure approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) allowing the Northern Plains Test Site to support beyond-line-of-sight operations. The senator said the FAA has made a commitment to him to grant approval by the end of 2016, which would make the North Dakota UAS test site the first in the nation to have such operability. This means the test site will be able to support the development, testing and evaluation of a wide range of new applications for UAS technology, giving the state a competitive edge in commercial UAS operations, training new pilots and in contending for the new UAS mission the Air Force plans to establish.

Hoeven said that North Dakota is well-positioned to receive the FAA's approval, due in part to the DASR-11 digital radar systems at Hector Field and Grand Forks Air Force Base, which received a total of $2 million for technical upgrades earlier this year. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Hoeven worked to secure funding for the upgrades, which are set to be completed early next year.

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