U.S. Senator John Hoeven announced that U.S. Secretary of the Air Force Dr. Troy E. Meink will be a featured guest speaker at the 19th annual UAS Summit & Expo, scheduled for October 14–15 at the Alerus Center.
The Summit, one of the nation’s premier gatherings for unmanned aircraft systems, draws government, military, and commercial leaders from across the country. Hoeven, a longtime advocate for North Dakota’s UAS ecosystem, has spearheaded initiatives such as Project ULTRA, which is pioneering unmanned cargo flights between Grand Forks Air Force Base and Cavalier Space Force Station while securing Department of Defense funding to accelerate UAS adoption.
“For two decades, we have built a UAS ecosystem in North Dakota unlike anywhere else in the world,” Hoeven said. “Secretary Meink’s participation will highlight the opportunities created by initiatives like Project ULTRA and the public-private partnerships advancing UAS applications for the Air Force.”
Secretary Meink, sworn in as the 27th Secretary of the Air Force in May 2025, oversees the Air Force and Space Force, with responsibility for nearly 680,000 personnel and a $200 billion budget. His career includes senior leadership roles at the National Reconnaissance Office and extensive operational experience, including 100 sorties during Desert Shield, Desert Storm, and Provide Comfort.
John Nelson, COO of BBI International and UAS Magazine, said, “Having both Senator Hoeven and Secretary Meink underscores the Summit’s importance as the epicenter of America’s UAS proving grounds, reflecting the unprecedented convergence of government, military, and commercial leadership at this year’s event.”
The Summit begins Tuesday, October 14.