releases: https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=6f10f3fd-be30-4195-9955-749ccf1f379f
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=6f10f3fd-be30-4195-9955-749ccf1f379f | Heitkamp: Northrop Grummans Grand Sky Groundbreaking Paves the Way for Public-Private UAS Innovation in ND | 2015-10-15 | 2015 | 2015-10 | Democrat | House | ND | Heidi Heitkamp | H001069 | www.heitkamp.senate.gov | legacy | GRAND FORKS, N.D. U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today highlighted the need to continue successful public-private partnerships that spur innovation across North Dakota at Northrop Grumman Corporations groundbreaking at the Grand Sky Business & Aviation Park. Todays groundbreaking makes the worldwide technology leader the first official tenant of the nations first unmanned aerial systems (UAS) business park. Speaking to Grand Forks Air Force leaders, Northern Plains UAS Test Site staff, as well as other local North Dakota and Northrop Grumman leaders about the need to keep the UAS industry on the cutting edge of aviation and commerce, Heitkamp discussed the significance of Northrop Grumman making its mark at the Grand Forks Air Force base as well as the need to ignite more public-private partnerships, like the UAS technology leader, at Grand Sky. Heitkamp has long been working to expand public-private partnerships at Grand Sky to further UAS technology and development calling on the head of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to approve additional authority for North Dakota to provide airspace and flexibility for the North Dakota Test Site the day after Northrop Grumman signed a Letter of Intent. Just two months later, the FAA heeded her request helping North Dakota draw more private industry partnerships. A cofounder of the Senate Defense Communities Caucus, Heitkamp continues to work to encourage the safe commercial use of UAS, introducing bipartisan legislation in February to remove undue red-tape for UAS research, open the door to more private investments, and save taxpayers money. In Grand Sky, were paving the way for the future of technology and with strong private partners like Northrop Grumman officially breaking ground today, were already boosting our ability to innovate the nation, said Heitkamp. Our Grand Forks and military communities have worked together to build a spirit of ingenuity on the base that has spurred public-private investments like were seeing today and in the Senate Ive worked to support their efforts by successfully pushing the FAA to provide the guidance the UAS industry needs to develop, and by introducing bipartisan legislation to remove unnecessary barriers hindering new partnerships. Together, we can bring about more public-private collaboration to harness the full potential of this exciting new technology. In April, Northrop Grumman signed and completed the Enhanced Use Lease (EUL) project to formally begin the process of becoming the first official tenant at Grand Skys business and technology park which offers Northrop Grumman and other future tenants state-of-the-art facilities, added security, access to the bases runway, and the ability to closely collaborate with the Air Force. Heitkamp has consistently worked to clear the way for UAS technology development, investment, and partnerships in North Dakota by: Delivering results to strengthen public-private partnerships on UAS test sites: In November 2014, Heitkamp discussed efforts to finalize the Grand Sky project during a meeting with Grand Forks Base Realignment Impact Committee (BRIC) representatives. Heitkamp also pushed Air Force and Northrop Grumman leaders in several meetings on the positive impact that a fully-functioning Grand Sky business park would have for the Air Force and the private sector. In a July 2014 meeting, Heitkamp and Colonel Paul Baumandiscussed the best strategies for completing the EUL approval process and creating a plan for its successful management. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |