Grand Forks-based Thread — formerly known as Airtonomy, a technology startup — has received a $1.2 million award under the Air Force Small Business Innovation Research program to develop an unmanned aerial system solution that will enhance perimeter security at the Grand Forks Air Force Base.
The award was announced by North Dakota U-S Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee
Hoeven said: “This project is all about enhancing the mission of the 319 Security Forces Squadron at the Grand Forks Air Force Base, improving the safety of their working conditions and streamlining their operations. By partnering AFWERX (an arm of the Air Force Research Laboratory) with Thread and utilizing this region’s UAS expertise, we’re working to ensure this critical base is secure against threats and can continue to support the unmanned ISR missions that our warfighters depend on.”
Currently, the 319 Security Forces Squadron at the local base deploys teams to manually patrol the base’s 13-mile perimeter, including in remote sections of the base and during harsh weather conditions.
Officials say this approach is time-consuming and takes attention away from other force protection activities of higher concern.
Thread will develop an autonomous flight routine for the base’s security forces.
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