North Dakota is entering the final stages of procurement for the state’s Drone Replacement Program, an initiative designed to transition state agencies to National Defense Authorization Act-compliant unmanned aircraft systems.
Made possible through support from the North Dakota Legislature, the program was created in response to changing federal requirements surrounding UAS technology. Transitioning agencies to compliant aircraft will help ensure they can continue pursuing federal funding opportunities while maintaining the UAS capabilities they use to support missions across the state. The program has included a statewide assessment of existing aircraft, agency operational needs and available replacement platforms. Following a competitive procurement process, technical and cost evaluations have been completed, and the state is now finalizing vendor selections, aircraft platforms and pricing in preparation for purchasing replacement systems.
Participating agencies have reviewed recommended aircraft and sensor platforms based on their individual missions and provided feedback to help guide final selections and allocations.
“North Dakota has spent years building an environment where UAS technology can move from an idea to a practical tool,” said North Dakota Commerce Commissioner Chris Schilken. “This program puts that ecosystem to work for our own state agencies, giving them access to technology that can increase efficiency and address real operational needs across North Dakota. We’re grateful to the Legislature for supporting this investment and recognizing the importance of providing our agencies with secure, compliant technology.”
Beyond replacing aircraft, the program will give agencies an opportunity to take advantage of Vantis, North Dakota’s statewide system enabling beyond visual line of sight operations. Administered by the Northern Plains UAS Test Site, Vantis provides infrastructure, airspace awareness and operational support for advanced UAS missions and for ensuring future federal compliance.
“We’ve spent a lot of time working directly with agencies to understand what they need from these aircraft in the field,” said Trevor Woods, executive director of the Northern Plains UAS Test Site. “Now we’re getting to the point of putting those tools in their hands. With NPUASTS technical support and Vantis infrastructure enabling their operations, agencies can look beyond simply replacing their current drones and begin exploring new ways UAS can support their missions. We’re also grateful to our industry partners, including Thales, whose continued partnership helps make Vantis possible, and to the vendors providing the equipment needed to meet the diverse missions of our state agencies.”
With the procurement process nearing completion, the program is finalizing agency allocations and preparing to purchase replacement aircraft and sensors. Additional information will be shared with participating agencies as final selections and allocations are completed.
The Drone Replacement Program team thanked the North Dakota Legislature, participating state agencies and program partners for their continued support and collaboration throughout the effort.
As one of nine FAA-designated UAS test sites, the Northern Plains UAS Test Site is committed to advancing autonomous technology solutions. NPUASTS enables research and commercialization of UAS technologies while providing specialized regulatory expertise. The organization also administers Vantis, North Dakota’s statewide system supporting safe, scalable beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations, efforts that help integrate UAS into the National Airspace System and deliver benefits to communities nationwide.