ND group promoting unmanned aircraft systems in DC

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota officials are in Washington showing off the state’s capacity for unmanned aircraft systems.

Representatives from the Northern Plains Unmanned Systems Authority attended a science and technology fair Thursday in a U.S. House office building.

The authority includes experts from the University of North Dakota, North Dakota State University, state Aeronautics Commission, state Department of Commerce, and the North Dakota National Guard.

The state is hoping to land one of six Federal Aviation test sites for unmanned systems.

Robert Becklund, executive director of the Northern Plains group, says North Dakota has “all the elements needed” to assist the FAA in its plan to safely integrate unmanned aircraft into the same airspace as manned vehicles.