Northern Plains UAS Test Site

A big week for the Northern Plains UAS Test Site at the 2026 UAS Summit & Expo! ✈️ One of the biggest highlights was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Joint Interagency Task Force 401 (JIATF 401). This exciting collaboration will leverage North Dakota's UAS expertise and testing capabilities to help accelerate the development and deployment of critical counter-UAS technologies supporting national defense priorities. Our team also had a strong presence throughout the Summit, sharing expertise on several important industry topics: 🔹 Drone Replacement Program: Victor Meza III and Andrea Santos discussed North Dakota's approach to modernizing UAS fleets. 🔹 Federal Radar Data Enclave: Trevor Woods highlighted the development of the Vantis Federal Radar Data Enclave. 🔹 The Future of BVLOS: Danielle Miller explored proposed Parts 108 & 146 and the path to scalable operations. 🔹 Agricultural Operations: Everett Dunnick shared results from large-scale BVLOS agricultural operations. Beyond the presentations, it was a great opportunity to connect with industry partners, federal and state leaders, and operators working to advance UAS. Thank you to everyone who attended our sessions, stopped by our booth, and connected with our team! 📸 A few highlights from a great week in Grand Forks! VantisUAS North Dakota Department of Commerce UAS Summit & Expo University of North Dakota #UND #NPUSTS #UAS #NorthDakota Federal Aviation Administration AUVSI — Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International

Taking the stage at the 2026 UAS Summit & Expo! The Northern Plains UAS Test Site team is excited to share our expertise and insights at this year's UAS Summit. Join us as we discuss the latest advancements, challenges, and opportunities shaping the future of the UAS industry. Here's where you can hear from our team: Tuesday, October 13 📍 Victor Meza & Annie Santos | 11:15 AM–12:00 PM | Ballroom From Compliance to Capability: Modernizing State UAS Fleets Through North Dakota's Drone Replacement Program (DRP) 📍 Trevor Woods | 3:45–4:30 PM | Meeting Room 2 The Anatomy of an Overnight Success: Building the Vantis Federal Radar Data Enclave Wednesday, October 14 📍 Danielle Miller | 10:30–11:15 AM | Meeting Room 2 A New Era for Drones: Part 108, Part 146, and the Path to Scalable BVLOS 📍 Everett Dunnick | 10:30–11:15 AM | Ballroom BVLOS for Agriculture: Results From 2026 Large-Scale Field Operations Attending the summit? Be sure to stop by our booth (608/609) to meet the team and learn more about Northern Plains and the Vantis system! #UASSummit2026 #NorthernPlainsUASTestSite #Vantis #UAS #BVLOS #DroneInnovation

❗ We'll be at the UAS Summit & Expo next week! Stop by our booth (608 & 609) and connect with our team to learn more about the Northern Plains UAS Test Site and the Vantis system. We look forward to seeing you there! Contact us with any questions here: https://lnkd.in/giET4xYm #UASSummit #NPUASTS #Vantis #UAS #BVLOS VantisUAS UAS Summit & Expo

Come see what we're all about! Our Marketing Manager Victor Meza, will be at 1 Million Cups this week talking all things NPUASTS! 📅 October 7th 📍 Bismarck, ND #NPUASTS #UAS #northdakota #Vantis #BVLOS #1millioncups

We’re still looking back on an incredible week at NASAO’s 2026 Annual Convention & Trade Show in Grand Forks! Connecting with aviation leaders from across the country gave us the opportunity to talk about the future of advanced UAS operations and demonstrate it!  We were able to take the stage during the convention to discuss Vantis in practice. Sharing how North Dakota’s statewide UAS system operates and how the infrastructure is enabling scalable beyond visual line of sight  operations. At Gorman Field, we brought those capabilities to life through live flight demonstrations showcasing how Vantis enables BVLOS operations and supports real-world use cases. The demonstrations highlighted: 🗺️ BVLOS flight operations enabled by Vantis 🏥 Medical logistics with CVS Health, demonstrating the potential for UAS to support the movement of critical medical supplies 🌾 Autonomous agricultural operations and their potential to improve efficiency in the field 📡 The communications, surveillance and infrastructure that help make advanced UAS operations possible Connect with our team here to learn more about us! https://lnkd.in/giET4xYm   Thank you to NASAO, our partners and everyone who joined us in Grand Forks. We were proud to help showcase what’s possible when infrastructure, technology and industry collaboration come together. #nasao NASAO - National Association of State Aviation Officials #Vantis #BVLOS #NorthDakota #UAS #npuasts  

📍A first for CVS Air Response, enabled by Vantis. During the NASAO Annual Convention in Grand Forks, CVS Air Response completed its first BVLOS mission, operating on North Dakota’s Vantis UAS system. The demonstration at Gorman Field showcased how Vantis can provide the connectivity, infrastructure and integration needed to support advanced UAS operations. Through CVS Health’s mobile pharmacy concept, the flight highlighted the potential for BVLOS operations to support the movement of critical medical supplies and help connect people with resources when and where they’re needed. Interested in seeing how Vantis and Northern Plains UAS Test Site can support your next advanced UAS operation? 📩 Connect with our team: https://lnkd.in/giET4xYm #Vantis VantisUAS #NPUASTS #CVSHealth CVS Health #BVLOS #UAS #DroneTechnology #MedicalLogistics #NASAO NASAO - National Association of State Aviation Officials

Attending NASAO 2026?   Come check out our speaking events to learn more about our BVLOS endeavors through the capabilities of Vantis and the Northern Plains UAS Test Site! • Wednesday! September 16th Everett Dunnick and Steffan Swanson speaking on Vantis in Practice: How a Statewide UAS System Operates and How Operators Onboard                 ⏰9:00 – 10:00am                  @ Ballroom #3 in the Alerus Center   Have questions? Contact us at https://lnkd.in/giET4xYm NASAO - National Association of State Aviation Officials University of North Dakota #UAS #BVLOS VantisUAS

✈️ We’ll see you at NASAO 2026!   The Northern Plains UAS Test Site is excited to be part of the NASAO Annual Convention, September 13–16, right here in Grand Forks, North Dakota! While you’re in Grand Forks, take the opportunity to experience the region’s growing UAS ecosystem, see some of the facilities and infrastructure supporting advanced aviation operations.    Be sure to attend the demonstration from CVS and Kelly Hills Unmanned (Pyka Aircraft) on Wednesday to see Vantis in action at Gorman Field!   We’re looking forward to connecting with aviation leaders from across the country and showcasing a little of what makes North Dakota such a unique place for UAS innovation!   📍 Grand Forks, ND 📅 September 13–16 📨 Contact Us! npuasts.com/contact #NASAO2026 NASAO - National Association of State Aviation Officials #NPUASTS #Vantis VantisUAS #UAS #BVLOS #Aviation #GrandForks North Dakota Department of Commerce #NorthDakota

Happy Labor Day from Northern Plains UAS Test Site! Today, we recognize the hard work, dedication, and expertise of the people who keep our industries moving forward. We’re especially grateful for our team and the partners we work alongside who continue to push boundaries and advance the future of UAS. Wishing everyone a safe and happy Labor Day! #LaborDay #NPUASTS #UAS #Aviation #Innovation

Northern Plains UAS Test Site is at Commercial UAV Expo 2026!   We’re excited to be in Las Vegas, September 1–3, connecting with UAS professionals, industry leaders, and innovators from across the commercial drone community.   If you’re attending, be sure to connect with the Northern Plains UAS Test Site team! We’d love to hear what you’re working on, discuss our UAS testing capabilities, airspace approvals (44803), and share more about Vantis Unlocked, our program designed to help organizations access and leverage the BVLOS capabilities of Vantis.   📍 Caesars Forum | Las Vegas, NV 🔗 Learn more about Commercial UAV Expo: https://www.expouav.com/   Interested in working with the Northern Plains UAS Test Site? Connect with our team through our website: Contact NPUASTS | Northern Plains UAS Test Site We hope to see you there!   #NPUASTS #CommercialUAVExpo #Vantis #VantisUnlocked #UAS #BVLOS #DroneIndustry #UASInnovation