In the minds of many outsiders, North Dakota may be better known for its conservative sensibilities and hard-charging cowboy types. Yet it’s now drawing a lot of attention for its decidedly modern, progressive embrace of drones, as North Dakota tests the first state-wide drone network system in the US.
Vantis set to become first US BVLOS drone network
With most construction and infrastructure work completed, North Dakota has begun putting its Vantis uncrewed aerial system (UAS) network through the testing paces. Authorities believe the asset will encourage drone use, innovation, and business applications. Its advanced stage of development is no fluke, given North Dakota’s early embrace of drone technology as the wave of the future. Vantis was launched a decade ago with an initial $28 million in state funding. Legislators voted last month to give the program an additional $20 million boost to help get it in the air as quickly as possible.
The near-term objective of…
