Senator John Hoeven, U.S. Senator of North Dakota | Senator John Hoeven Official website
Senator John Hoeven, U.S. Senator of North Dakota | Senator John Hoeven Official website
Senator John Hoeven has formally requested that Camp Grafton Training Center in North Dakota be designated as a Department of Defense (DoD) national test and training range for unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and counter-UAS operations. In a letter addressed to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Hoeven referenced the Secretary’s recent directive to establish at least three national ranges aimed at strengthening U.S. drone capabilities.
Camp Grafton currently provides 10,000 acres of flexible training space with controlled airspace and access to Devils Lake for maritime applications. The facility is used year-round by military and federal agencies and integrates with North Dakota’s UAS ecosystem, including the University of North Dakota and the Northern Plains UAS Test Site.
“Camp Grafton’s facilities and ranges offer airspace, terrain, and infrastructure uniquely capable of providing immediate support for DoD’s UAS and counter-UAS testing and training needs... The installation already supports UAS and counter-UAS testing activities, including counter-UAS testing by the Department of Homeland Security and a variety of private industry partners,” wrote Senator Hoeven.
The full text of Hoeven's letter is available online.
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