GRAND FORKS, N.D. — GrandSKY, the nation’s first commercial UAS business and aviation park, today announced the deployment of a foundational counter-uncrewed aircraft system (C-UAS) architecture at Grand Forks Air Force Base. This initiative marks a significant step toward establishing GrandSKY as a premier center for C-UAS testing, development, and operations.
The initial phase, now underway, includes the integration of AeroVironment’s AV_Halo COMMAND Mission software and radio frequency (RF)-based Titan-SV counter-UAS capability. This deployment provides the critical first layer of a comprehensive, layered defense system, focusing on the detection, identification, and tracking (DIT) of unmanned aerial threats. This seamless network of passive sensors and radars provides airspace situational awareness and serves as the beginning of a system that could become a cornerstone for protecting critical infrastructure.
“We are building the future of air defense right here in North Dakota,” GrandSKY President Thomas Swoyer Jr. said. “This deployment reflects the strategic evolution of GrandSKY as it endeavors to create a national counter-UAS center of excellence. By integrating these advanced DIT capabilities, we are establishing the foundational sensor network necessary to understand and counter evolving drone threats. This deployment directly supports our collaboration with Grand Forks Air Force Base and positions us to be a leader in the development of robust, adaptable defense solutions for the nation.”
This partnership builds on the March 2025 memorandum of understanding (MOU) between GrandSKY and AV in support of Project ULTRA, a $100 million public-private initiative to establish Grand Forks as the nation’s proving ground for advanced counter-UAS defense.
“Grand Forks continues to play a vital role in strengthening both North Dakota’s economy and America’s national security,” Senator John Hoeven (R-ND) said. “By leveraging these proven technologies at GrandSKY, we are ensuring our state remains at the forefront of innovation while providing the layered protection our nation needs against rapidly evolving threats.”
The integrated system at GrandSKY augments airspace awareness and control, enabling a path to support a variety of UAS and counter-UAS tests, operations, and demonstrations. This initiative is a key component of a broader strategy to create a seamless network for counter-UAS operations across North Dakota.
“Establishing the framework for limited area defense at Grand Forks marks an important step toward building a layered defense system for the nation against constantly evolving drone threats,” AV Chairman, President and CEO Wahid Nawabi said. “By combining our surveillance and edge-intelligence technologies with the vision of GrandSKY and the support of leaders, like Senator Hoeven, we are accelerating solutions that will protect critical U.S. military installations and the service members who operate within them.”
About GrandSKY
GrandSKY is a UAS-focused flight operations center on Grand Forks AFB in Grand Forks County, North Dakota. The 217-acre flight center provides Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) tenants and partners with unmatched research, development, training, and testing amenities. GrandSKY leverages access to the Air Force runway and tower support with commercial amenities and investment through a unique public-private partnership supporting civilian and military UAS flight operations. GrandSKY has been offering industry-leading amenities such as over 11,000 square miles of BVLOS capability and 24/7 operations. For more information, visit grandskynd.com.
About AV
AV (NASDAQ: AVAV) is a defense technology leader delivering integrated capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. The Company develops and deploys autonomous systems, loitering munitions, counter-UAS technologies, space-based platforms, directed energy systems, and cyber and electronic warfare capabilities—built to meet the mission needs of today’s warfighter and tomorrow’s conflicts. At the core of these technologies lies AV_Halo, a modular, mission-ready suite of AI-powered software tools that empowers warfighters and enables full-battlefield dominance: detect, decide, deliver. With a national manufacturing footprint and a deep innovation pipeline, AV delivers proven systems and future-defining capabilities at speed, scale, and operational relevance. For more information, visit www.avinc.com.