A landmark agreement between the North Dakota National Guard and the University of North Dakota (UND) is opening new frontiers in national defense, education and uncrewed systems innovation. Under a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding, the North Dakota Air and Army National Guard are collaborating with UND Aerospace to advance counter-UAS and advanced air mobility initiatives.
The partnership has already led to a series of joint training exercises and experiments at UND Aerospace’s Gorman Field UAS Test Range and the North Dakota National Guard’s Camp Grafton Training Center. These activities are focused on sharpening the National Guard’s operational readiness and enhancing the academic and technical training pipeline for UND students entering the UAS field.
Simulating modern battlefield threats
Recent exercises have blended air and ground operations to create realistic scenarios in which UND Aerospace plays the role of a “Red Team,” simulating adversarial drone threats. These training evolutions involve UND operating its Boeing Insitu ScanEagle to monitor Army Guard ground movements, while the North Dakota Air National Guard uses its General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper to detect, track and coordinate defensive actions with ground forces.
At the same time, UND deploys smaller drones to simulate surveillance or attack scenarios against Army command posts, mimicking the types of challenges military units increasingly face from adversaries using commercial UAS platforms.
“These scenarios create real-life situations in which the Air and Army Guard can train, evaluate tactics and improve future exercises,” said Paul Snyder, director of UND’s UAS Operations program. “UND faculty, staff and students also gain real-world experience that will prepare them for careers in UAS and Counter-UAS operations.”
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Leadership praises innovation and collaboration
North Dakota’s military and academic leaders have hailed the partnership as a model for innovation-driven defense readiness.
“This training exercise was made possible through North Dakota partnerships. Partnerships like the one between the North Dakota National Guard and the University of North Dakota fuel innovation, and innovation drives military readiness. Together, they form the foundation of a force better prepared for the future.”
Brig. Gen. Mitchell Johnson, Adjutant General of the North Dakota National Guard.
“The collaboration between UND Aerospace and the North Dakota National Guard is unlocking new training and experimentation possibilities that would otherwise be unfeasible. Through this unique North Dakota partnership, our mission readiness is enhanced, our joint warfighting is sharpened and our ability to tactically adapt is accelerated.”
Col. Ryan Ayers, Deputy Commander of the Air National Guard’s 119th Wing
Expanding capabilities with industry partners
To support the complex airspace management demands of these exercises, UND Aerospace has partnered with Detect, Inc. and Vigilant Aerospace. These companies are providing detect-and-avoid systems and other technologies to safely integrate manned and unmanned aircraft in shared airspace.
“These partnerships and the advanced training grounds we have created together testify to the state of North Dakota’s dedication to working together and solving the nation’s greatest problems,” Snyder said.
A foundation for the future
UND leaders see the partnership not only as a win for today’s readiness but also as a foundation for long-term advancement in UAS technology and training.
“This is only the beginning,” said Snyder. “The future holds many more educational and research advancements as we blend this training with not only live assets, but simulated environments as well.”
Robert Kraus, dean of the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences at UND, emphasized the broader national significance of the effort.
“This exercise has once again shown that North Dakota is the premier location for testing new technology and autonomous systems, both aerial and terrestrial,” Kraus said. “It also underscores our collective commitment – from industry, academia and the military – to improving national defense.”
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Post Image – A Boeing Insitu ScanEagle drone dangles from a crane at Camp Grafton (Post Image Credit: UND Aerospace)
