North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum recently announced a $30 million proposal to build out infrastructure that would support beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations for UAS across the state.

The investment would establish a statewide BVLOS network to enable UAS operations such as automated farming and precision agriculture for state agencies, local communities and the commercial sector.

The investment would also supply the infrastructure needed for the command and control of UAS and the required surveillance equipment to safely integrate manned and unmanned aircraft in the National Airspace System.

“These investments will ensure that North Dakota remains America’s proving ground for UAS while also enabling commercial operations, which is good for our economy and taxpayers,” Burgum says.

“We have gifted researchers, entrepreneurs and technology right here in North Dakota – as well as natural attributes such as open skies, variable climate, agriculture and energy – to diversify our economy and continue our trajectory as a national leader in UAS.”

To ensure regulatory compliance, subject matter experts within the state such as the Northern Plains UAS Test Site would work with federal agencies.

The executive budget will also propose $3 million to upgrade infrastructure at the Grand Sky UAS park, and $3 million to support operations at the Northern Plains UAS Test Site.

To date, the state of North Dakota has invested more than $44 million to advance UAS research and development. Additionally, the Department of Commerce notes that there are approximately 40 companies in the state that are focusing on UAS or that have UAS functions, products or relationships in their business models.

North Dakota is also one of just ten sites in the U.S. participating in the UAS Integration Pilot Program (IPP). In partnership with the Northern Plains UAS Test Site and dozens of other entities, the North Dakota Department of Transportation is leading the state's efforts in the UAS IPP.