At a hearing of the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee this week, Senator John Hoeven outlined the opportunity for the Department of Defense (DoD) to partner with the unmanned aerial systems (UAS) industry in North Dakota to develop more cost-effective methods for countering adversaries’ use of drone technology. The senator highlighted recent drone attacks against Israel and Ukraine, where Iran and Russia utilized inexpensive UAS and drone swarms, which required significantly more expensive counter measures from the U.S. and its allies. Accordingly, Hoeven:<ul><li>Invited Dr. William A. LaPlante, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, and Andrew P. Hunter, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, to visit North Dakota.<ul><li>The senator highlighted this visit as an opportunity to learn firsthand about the capabilities of Grand Sky, the Northern Plains UAS Test Site, Grand Forks Air Force Base and the University of North Dakota.</li><li>Hoeven stressed that this would benefit efforts both to develop counter-UAS technologies and strengthen U.S. intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.</li></ul></li><li>Urged LaPlante to leverage North Dakota’s expertise to more effectively protect against UAS threats.<ul><li>Hoeven previously <a href="https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-urging-army-to-work-with-north-dakota-test-site-and-partners-to-counter-uas-threats">made the case</a> to Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth to connect the efforts of the Army’s Joint Counter-Small UAS office with North Dakota’s test site and its wide array of partners.</li></ul></li></ul>“Across the world, we’re seeing drones being used to threaten the U.S. and its allies,” said Hoeven. “While these drones often cost very little to produce and use, the cost of countering them is significant. We need to develop better methods for neutralizing these threats that don’t strain our military resources, and North Dakota absolutely has the experience and know-how to assist in these efforts. That’s why I’ve invited Under Secretary LaPlante and Assistant Secretary Hunter to visit our state, learn about our UAS ecosystem and build more partnerships, like we’ve done across our test site, Grand Sky, GFAFB and UND.”This week’s hearing builds upon Hoeven’s efforts to continue growing North Dakota’s leadership in developing both UAS and counter-UAS capabilities. To this end, the senator:<ul><li>Helped introduce and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/news/news-releases/hoeven-congress-passes-faa-reauthorization-invests-in-nations-airports-and-extends-uas-test-sites-for-five-years">pass</a> the bipartisan&nbsp;Preventing Emerging Threats Act of 2018 to support the development of counter-UAS technology and protect important facilities from potential misuse of unmanned aircraft.<ul><li>Hoeven is now sponsoring a bill to renew and expand upon the authorities created under this law.</li><li>The legislation would provide the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) with necessary tools to defend against malicious or recklessly operated drones and counter UAS that pose a security threat.</li></ul></li></ul>

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At a hearing of the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee this week, Senator John Hoeven outlined the opportunity for the Department of Defense (DoD) to partner with the unmanned aerial systems (UAS) industry in North Dakota to develop more cost-effective methods for countering adversaries’ use of drone technology. 

Senator Hoeven Invites DoD Officials to North Dakota to Learn About Local UAS Capabilities Firsthand

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