Global Hawk 20’s to support UAS research in GF

A plan is in the works to base the Department of Defense’s new Sky Range program in Grand Forks.  U.S. Senator John Hoeven outlined the program during remarks at the UAS Summit at the Alerus Center.

Hoeven says in addition to bringing the decommissioned Global Hawk 20’s to Grand Sky the goal is to eventually land Block 30’s to be used for hypersonic missile testing.   He says currently a fleet of ships deployed across a Pacific Ocean corridor test hypersonic missiles.  According to Hoeven the DOD is only able to conduct four to six tests per year as it takes several weeks to deploy and position the ships for each test.  Sky Range would replace the ships.

Grand Sky President Tom Swoyer says it’s just another example of how Grand Forks is the place to be for all things UAS.  “Grand Forks is the place to be for the UAS industry.”

The two day summit wraps up today (Thursday).