Sen. John Hoeven (R-North Dakota) has asked Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection agency officials to take advantage of the state’s unmanned aerial systems knowledge to formulate strategies to protect the northern border.According to a report published Thursday on Hoeven’s website, the senator met with DHS and CBP leaders to discuss how the state supports efforts to integrate UAS platforms into the nation’s airspace without compromising privacy rights and potential misuse of drones.
DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen has committed to utilize UAS for the development of national security and she will visit North Dakota to witness ongoing efforts at the Grand Sky Technology Park, Northern Plains UAS Test Site, CBP UAS facility and the Grand Forks Air Force Base.
Hoeven looks to build on previous efforts to further the UAS industry through work on low altitude beyond-line-of-flight applications, NASA‘s unmanned traffic management platform and the development of UAS detection and counter-UAS technologies.
He also secured $8 million in fiscal year 2017 to keep the CBP UAS operations and training facility in Grand Forks.
