The first UAS business and aviation park in the U.S. will be operational this year, and the park’s first tenants are making final preparations for launch.
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. recently announced new and expanded collaborations with the nearby University of North Dakota Aerospace Foundation and global aviation simulation technology and training provider CAE to support its RPA Training Academy at Grand Sky. UND Aerospace will provide use of its Predator Mission Aircrew Training System for training academy students, while CAE will continue to expand its simulator development efforts for MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper aircraft as well as provide instructors for the academy.
Both agreements will support the growing demand for remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) flight crews and further boost North Dakota’s role in the UAS industry.
GA-ASI expects to begin training its own flight crews at Grand Sky this summer, making it the first tenant to begin operating at the park. International flight crews will begin training at GA-ASI’s Grand Sky training academy later this year.
Meanwhile, anchor tenant Northrop Grumman recently released a fly-through video of its 36,000-square-foot research and development facility currently under construction at Grand Sky. It also details why Grand Sky, and North Dakota, is the best place to invest in advancing its UAS operations. Among the reasons: Grand Sky’s amenities will allow it to bring new UAS from concept to test flight more quickly than other potential UAS sites. Northrop Grumman expects to be operational at Grand Sky later this year.
Grand Sky continues to complete infrastructure work at the park and anticipates announcing more tenant agreements this year.
