Sen. Hoeven calls for North Dakota to play key role in UAS national security efforts

U.S. Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND) made the case last Thursday that North Dakota should serve a hub for federal efforts to integrate more unmanned aerial systems (UAS) into northern border security.

In a meeting with officials from the Department and Homeland Security (DHS) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Hoeven secured a commitment for the officials to tour North Dakota’s UAS industry in the future.

“North Dakota is leading the way in developing and testing UAS technologies. With its central location and the technology and partnerships we’ve worked to develop, it only makes sense that Grand Forks should serve as a hub for northern border security,” Hoeven, a member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, said.

Hoeven previously secured a commitment from DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen to incorporate more UAS into national security efforts. Nielsen also plans to visit the Grand Sky Technology Park, the Northern Plains UAS Test Site, the CBP UAS facility and the Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota.

“During (Thursday’s) meetings, we highlighted the valuable role these systems can play in securing the northern border, including detecting illegal border crossings and the transportation of illicit substances,” Hoeven said.

Hoeven also highlighted authorization of the Northern Plains UAS test site to oversee beyond the line of sight operations for UAS and upgrades to digital radar systems at Grand Forks Air Force Base.