Grand Forks Air Force Base one of four test sites for Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems
GRAND FORKS CO., N.D. (KVRR) — Grand Forks Air Force Base has been named by the Department of War as one of four sites nationwide for a new pilot program testing advanced Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems.
The technologies are designed to detect, disable, and destroy hostile drones.
The cutting-edge systems include high-powered microwave, laser, and similar technologies aimed at strengthening protections for critical military facilities and assets.
“With all the work we’ve done to build our ecosystem in Grand Forks as well as the Point Defense Battle Lab, T-REX at Camp Grafton, clearly it makes sense to be doing this type of training with the resources we’ve put in place,” said Sen. John Hoeven.
“This isn’t just about Grand Forks Air Force Base; it’s about the entire ecosystem. It’s the capabilities at the University of North Dakota, it includes Camp Grafton, our wonderful Army National Guard facility that has not only technical capabilities, but good land, and a big range, said Sen. Kevin Cramer.
The North Dakota National Guard is also proficient at UAS and countering-UAS. And of course, the Space Force Station up at Cavalier. The communities of Cavalier, Camp Grafton, Devil’s Lake, and Grand Forks provide a perfect triangle.”
The program was authorized in the National Defense Authorization Act.
