Drones assist with ND spring storm recovery operations

North Dakota took to the skies to help survey damage caused by blizzards in the western part of the state.

ISight and the Northern Plains UAS Test Site used drones to survey rural areas – locating and assessing damage to utility infrastructure – and to help prioritize resources for repairs and recovery. The remote flights were able to operate beyond-visual-line-of-sight as part of the state’s creation and implementation of Vantis, North Dakota’s UAS network.

In making the announcement Governor Doug Burgum says North Dakotans are known for their innovation and in difficult times come together to find new solutions to challenging problems.

Northern Plains Executive Director Trevor Woods says “This is one of the primary applications we envisioned in creating this UAS network.”
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The North Dakota Wing, Civil Air Patrol (CAP) also captured aerial imagery to support power restoration operations.