Peace Garden News

The Grand Forks region is set to advance its role in counter-drone operations with two new developments announced at the Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Summit. Senator John Hoeven revealed that the U.S. Air Force Air Combat Command (ACC) has selected Grand Forks Air Force Base as the site for a new Point Defense Battle Lab.

Hoeven stated he worked with both General Kenneth Wilsbach, former ACC Commander and nominee for Air Force Chief of Staff, and current ACC Commander General Adrian Spain to help secure Grand Forks’ selection. The lab will focus on developing and testing technologies to defend military installations from small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) threats. Details of its operations will be developed over the coming months, with Hoeven indicating ongoing collaboration with the ACC to maximize regional partnerships.

Additionally, AeroVironment is expanding its activities in North Dakota by installing its AV Halo counter-UAS system at GrandSKY. This follows AeroVironment’s acquisition of BlueHalo earlier this year. BlueHalo previously partnered with local programs such as Sky Range and Grand Forks Air Force Base, with nearly $16 million secured for those efforts. The AV Halo system includes Titan radar technology capable of 360-degree long-range surveillance and uses integrated software to support counter-drone detection and air domain awareness.

AV Halo will immediately support research initiatives like Project ULTRA’s counter-drone work and activities at the new ACC battle lab.

Hoeven commented, “Our efforts to bring both the Point Defense Battle Lab and AV Halo to the region truly add to the unique UAS ecosystem we’ve built in Grand Forks, further securing our role as the premier location for unmanned aviation, including drone and counter-drone research and testing. Importantly, these two announcements work in tandem. The Air Force needs help to address UAS threats, particularly those to our domestic bases, while companies like AeroVironment have the technical solutions the Air Force needs,” said Hoeven. “We’ve seen in Israel and Ukraine how drones are being used to wage war in new and dangerous ways. Between Project ULTRA at GrandSKY, the Northern Plains UAS Test Site and the Grand Forks Air Force Base, the capabilities and partnerships we’ve built in this region will enable our nation to tackle this emerging threat.”