31 unmanned systems
inside
Spring 2014
FAA test sites
TEST RANGES
INclUDE
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The airspace over most of the state is potentially available for fight tests—
especially of limited-range, line-of-sight systems, said Robert Becklund,
executive director of Northern Plains Unmanned Systems Authority. In
addition the University of North Dakota is working with the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) to identify some 13,000 square miles of airspace
where low population densities would make it possible to fy Unmanned
Aircraft Systems (UASs) without the need for temporary fight restrictions.
cONTAcT
Robert Becklund
Director, Northern Plains
Unmanned Aircraft Systems Test Site
Clifford Hall, Room 237
4149 University Ave
Grand Forks, ND 58202
Office: 701-777-6330
email: rbecklund@md.gov
Web: northernplainsuas.com/
cialties in nano and microscale electronics. ND State is also a land
grant school and the region's largest agricultural university. UAS applica-
tions supporting agriculture, North Dakota's biggest industry, are expected
to be the breakout market for unmanned aircraft over the next 10 years.
North Dakota will assist the FAA by validating high reliability link technol-
ogy and developing UAS airworthiness essential data. The teams will also
conduct human factors research for the aviation agency. The state has already
allocated $4 million to run the site through the end of 2016 when the test
range agreement ends.
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a university of north dakota
researcher, seen far left, totes
a scaneagle during a day
of testing. A Draganfyer
vehicle, left, carries a
payload as does a small
quadcopter, pictured
below.
Photos courtesy of the
University of North Dakota
The state offers qualifying companies
abatements on income tax for up to 5 years
as well as breaks on sales tax, investment
tax credits, interest rate buy-downs and gap
fnancing. There is also help with workforce
training and fnancial support for bringing in
interns. The state's new Research North Dakota
program offers successful applicants up to
$300,000 in matching funds for joint projects
between companies and the state's research
universities to advance technologies close to
commercialization. The money goes to pay the
university's costs in doing the project.
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INcENTIVES