Autonomous Systems

Our region isn’t just leading in drone technology, we’re becoming a national hub for innovation, setting the standard for Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) development and deployment. 

Here’s why: 

Vantis

The first-of-its-kind statewide network for beyond-visual-line-of-sight drone flights, now on the path to commercialization. 

Grand Sky

The nation’s first private UAS business park, attracting major companies and fostering collaboration. 

Northern Plains UAS Test Site

A top-performing facility for testing and advancing cutting-edge drone technology. 

This powerful combination of infrastructure, expertise, and a pro-business environment has positioned North Dakota as the ideal location for businesses in the autonomous era.  

The progress that has been made in building a premier UAS (Uncrewed Aircraft Systems) ecosystem has caused state leaders and economic developers to start expanding their attention to also include broader opportunities in autonomous systems that are adjacent or complementary to the UAS industry. 

The FM area’s unique strengths contributing to this ecosystem can be found in an endless variety of places, but several distinct areas stand out where AgTech and Autonomous Systems converge. In particular, partners like Grand Farm are deploying autonomous technologies, both ground and air, as part of their mission to support the development, testing, and commercialization of new agtech solutions at their innovation campus near Casselton. The 2024 attraction of autonomous weeding robot company, Aigen, is one recent example of success where sectors converge.  

Companies like Packet Digital are growing new subsectors in advanced battery technology that are critical components for UAS and Autonomous Systems platforms.

Packet Digital is building a state-of-the-art drone battery plant (the first in the U.S.) as part of its mission to supply U.S.-made drone battery cells for its customers. The 80,000-square-foot battery cell plant will be the company’s third location in five years. 

The regional economic impact from the UAS/Autonomous Systems sector continues to progress, growing from $113 million in 2008 to $270 million in 2023, over double the economic output today from 15 years ago.  

Average earnings per job in the Autonomous/UAS sector of $100,624, which far exceeds the average annual regional salary of $67,500. 

Building on our Success

The GFMEDC is putting in the work to build a strong foundation and tap into the state and larger region’s success relative to autonomous systems. We’re going to trade shows, meeting with potential companies, partnering with local stakeholders and organizations to market the region’s benefits to potential businesses and startups.   

In April, we attended international Xponential Conference in San Diego hosted by the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), the world’s largest unmanned systems trade association. As part of this the GFMEDC partnered with several North Dakota ecosystem stakeholders (UND, ND Department of Commerce, Northern Plains UAS Test Site, Grand Sky, and others) to host an Xponential kickoff reception on the historic USS Midway Museum.  

Closer to home we partner with, support, and sponsor local industry events like Autonomous Nation in Fargo and the UAS Summit and Expo in Grand Forks. Both events are extremely effective and high impact venues to meet industry prospects and grow our ecosystem network. We are involved in continuing conversations with several dozen prospects as a result of these conferences and engagements. 

We continue to work with a variety of industry and education partners to connect workforce needs with solution providers and programs like NDSCS’s Robotics, Automation and Mechatronics Technology (RAMT) program are a great example of what companies in the autonomous systems space are looking for when they explore strategic growth markets.  

More on our Autonomous Systems Sector