Central ND News

Senator John Hoeven recently discussed national security and counter-unmanned aerial systems (UAS) opportunities in Grand Forks with Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. James Slife. Hoeven emphasized the region's potential to enhance national security by leveraging its expertise in UAS technology, particularly against the misuse of drones.

Hoeven highlighted his efforts to increase the contract ceiling for Project ULTRA, which is anticipated soon. He has been working to expand Project ULTRA's scope to support the development of counter-UAS technologies. The project aims to bridge existing Department of Defense contracting vehicles with new private sector counter-UAS capabilities.

The Federal Aviation Administration's unfiltered radar data feed is also being integrated with the Northern Plains UAS Test Site. Once linked, this feed will help detect, identify, and track malicious UAS activities. These initiatives position Grand Forks uniquely in developing methods for protecting domestic U.S. military bases from potential UAS threats.

Hoeven is also advocating for a future intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) mission at Grand Forks Air Force Base. As a Senate Defense Appropriations Committee member, he seeks to ensure adequate ISR capacity for global military support. The senator is advancing both airborne and space-based missions as part of expanding ISR operations in Grand Forks.

“The Grand Forks region offers capabilities and capacity unlike anywhere else, to address emerging national defense concerns," stated Hoeven. "That includes protecting against the malicious use of drones, as well as leveraging the Grand Forks Air Force base’s longstanding excellence in ISR and its newfound leadership in satellite operations to ensure we have adequate intelligence operations, whether in the air or space, to meet the needs of our military across the globe.”

Hoeven added that General Slife's visit provides an opportunity to advocate for utilizing North Dakota's expertise in UAS technology: “With Project ULTRA receiving a contract increase in the coming weeks and the unfiltered FAA radar data feed nearly ready to go, we have the pieces in place to meet these critical military needs.”