North Dakota
Science and Technology Plan

​​North Dakota is emerging as a leader in autonomous systems, particularly in the fields of UAS and autonomous vehicles. The state's expansive airspace, supportive regulatory environment, and collaborative ecosystem have positioned it as a hub for research, development, testing, and deployment of autonomous technologies.

In the realm of UAS, North Dakota boasts the Grand Sky, the nation's first commercial UAS business and aviation park. Located adjacent to the Grand Forks Air Force Base, Grand Sky provides a unique testing and development environment for UAS technologies. Companies and research institutions at Grand Sky are exploring applications of drones across various sectors, including agriculture, energy, infrastructure inspection, and public safety.

 

Moreover, North Dakota has established itself as a pioneer in the integration of UAS into the national airspace. UND’s Research Institute for Autonomous Systems and the state's Northern Plains UAS Test Site, one of only seven Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-designated UAS test sites in the United States, are national leaders in conducting research and testing to advance UAS integration, safety, and operational capabilities. Collaborations between industry, academia, and government entities at the test site have led to innovations in UAS technology and expanded commercial applications.

​

North Dakota is also making strides in autonomous ground vehicles (AGVs) and other autonomous systems. Research institutions and companies in the state are developing and testing autonomous vehicles for agricultural, transportation, and logistics purposes. These advancements have the potential to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and improve safety in various industries, contributing to economic growth and innovation in North Dakota.

North Dakota has become a magnet for business and academic partnerships in the research, implementation, and advancement of autonomous system development and utilization. The autonomous systems industry has increased the state’s leverage in national and international markets and shows no signs of slowing down. 

Nearly 50 UAS businesses are based in North Dakota and employ more than 1,000 people. This business activity and associated research make North Dakota one of the largest business incubators and entrepreneurial clusters in the nation.

While best known for our expertise in autonomous aerial systems, North Dakota also has a distinct vision for the use of ground-based autonomous systems for long distance trucking, autonomous impact protections vehicles and the use of driverless trucks to solve labor shortages during harvest.  

Further research of aerial, ground-based, and aquatic autonomous systems will help develop new technologies that can be integrated into transportation, precision agriculture, energy, health care, mining, and national security with greater efficiency and favorable impact. Partnerships between universities, industry, the private sector, and state, local, and tribal governments, will direct further research, development, and commercialization of autonomous systems technology. 

​

RESEARCH AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Through its Research Institute for Autonomous Systems (RIAS), representing a long history of leading-edge research in autonomous systems (AS), UND is continuing to expand its R&D capacity in UAS/Autonomy and mobility across Surface-Maritime-Air-Space domains. UND cultivates partnerships across the nation with academic institutions, state and federal agencies, industry and tribal communities, to develop and field AS across defense and commercial applications. UND is positioned to address current technological challenges central to all AS applications including survivability, mission command systems, “data problems” (networks, computing power, edge computing, security chain), AI (including analysis, trust and decision-making), and energy. UND John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Studies sets a national standard for all things aviation training and is a core to UND’s AS capabilities, including housing the first B.S. degree in UAS Operations.
 

ND is positioned to take advantage of a unique set of capabilities that are driving accelerated fielding of AS, including established test beds to facilitate the development of technology and diffusion of new technology to industry. One of the most prominent components of the North Dakota (ND) AS ecosystem is the Northern Plains UAS Test Site (NPUASTS), which is leading the world in enabling broad commercial Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations through establishment of the Vantis statewide network. This one-of-a-kind capability is designed to support broad commercial as well as defense interests, enabling use cases ranging from delivery of medical supplies and emergency services to infrastructure monitoring and to UTM and Advanced Air Mobility solutions in the field. 

​

Additional Areas of Research Supporting Autonomous Systems

• NAS Integration

• Command & Control systems

• Data management/AI/Cybersecurity

• Communications

• Advanced Materials

• Energy Systems

• Uncrewed Autonomous Vehicles (especially trucking/surface)

• Drones in agricultural and other use cases (construction, infrastructure)

​

Emerging AND New Research Areas for Autonomous Systems

• Autonomous Systems Control (cybersecurity)

• Precision livestock

• Beyond visual line of sight

• Use of robotics/autonomous systems in agriculture

• Data analytics