Governor names UAS leader

Gov. Jack Dalrymple Tuesday named former North Dakota Air National Guard Commander Col. Robert Becklund as director of a new unmanned aircraft systems authority.

Becklund will head the Northern Plains Unmanned Systems Authority, which will organize all UAS-related activities in the state.

“Bob’s extensive experience in Unmanned Systems and his leadership in the North Dakota Air National Guard will be great assets as we advance the development of the Northern Plains Unmanned Aircraft Systems Test Site,” Dalrymple said in a press release. “By leveraging our resources and expertise at the University of North Dakota, the Grand Forks Air Force Base, the North Dakota National Guard and at our growing cluster of high-tech businesses that support our growing UAS industry, we have a great deal to offer in establishing a North Dakota test site.”