General Atomics, Lawmakers Hold North Dakota UAS Training Center Talks; John Hoeven Comments

General Atomics executives have visited a site in Grand Forks, North Dakota as part of a discussion with Sen. John Hoeven to open an unmanned aerial systems training center in the region.

Hoeven’s office said Monday the senator accompanied Frank Pace, president of General Atomics’ aircraft systems group, and Bart Roper, the group’s vice president of strategic development, to the Grand Sky technology park for a site evaluation.

“With assets like Grand Sky, the northern plains test site, UND Aerospace and the Air Force Base’s UAS mission, Grand Forks offers the physical infrastructure and knowhow that General Atomics and other companies need to thrive in this rapidly growing industry,” Hoeven said.

Hoeven intends for the potential arrangement to aid in the U.S. Air Force’s drone training program.