Peace Garden News

Senator John Hoeven announced that the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) will conduct unmanned aerial system (UAS) tests at Grand Sky in September. The tests are being conducted in partnership with Project ULTRA, which is based at Grand Sky. The collaboration uses Grand Sky’s facilities and airspace, as well as Project ULTRA’s expertise, to demonstrate possible military applications for mid-sized unmanned aircraft.

The partnership is supported by an open contract with the Department of Defense, valued at up to $100 million. Senator Hoeven played a role in establishing this contract.

“We set up Project ULTRA to deliver the benefits of UAS to our servicemembers at home and abroad, and this new partnership with CENTCOM shows how powerful Project ULTRA can be,” Hoeven said. “We look forward to working closely with CENTCOM to provide our warfighters advanced UAS technology quickly and efficiently.”

During their time at Grand Sky, CENTCOM will test aircraft under its Early Vertical take-off and land Aircraft Demonstrator, known as the “EVADE” program. The purpose of this program is to evaluate the military potential of mid-sized vertical take-off and landing unmanned aircraft. This includes cargo delivery flights similar to those currently being carried out by Project ULTRA between Grand Forks Air Force Base and Cavalier Space Force Station.

The tests conducted by CENTCOM will use the Project ULTRA contract as part of a task order to demonstrate different mission profiles, including cargo delivery flights.