Another major defense company interested in ND drone park

FARGO, N.D. — The nation’s first unmanned aircraft business park currently under construction in North

BY DAVE KOLPACK Associated Press

Dakota has a second major defense contractor interested in setting up shop.

Linden P. Blue, the CEO of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., plans to visit in July to look into Grand Sky, a 1.2 million-square-foot park located on Grand Forks Air Force Base property. The base recently switched its operations from air refueling tankers to unmanned aircraft.

U.S. Rep. Kevin Cramer said the General Atomics affiliate is looking not only to test aircraft, but train pilots. “They’re the kind of prospect that has more than a casual interest, for sure,” Cramer said.

Among the unmanned aerial systems General Atomics produces are drones for military combat missions. The MQ-1 Predator drones are being flown by the North Dakota Air National Guard and MQ-9 Reaper planes are being used by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Several graduates of the University of North Dakota aviation school are among the more than 6,000 employees for the San Diego-based company.

Already, defense technology company Northrop Grumman last month signed a lease to become the park’s lead tenant, finalizing a plan that had been in the works for years. Northrop Grumman makes the RQ-4 Global Hawk drone, which is considered particularly valuable because it can conduct long-range missions, fly at 60,000 feet and roam in a particular area for 24 hours or more.

“I always have been a big believer in momentum, and someone like Northrop Grumman signing that lease, that’s momentum,” Cramer said.