Tag: UAS

MEDIA ADVISORY: Demonstration to show how drones can boost rural resilience

Posted on September 4, 2025 by cfiadmin - News, RuralReach

Censys Technologies to lead live UAS demonstration for Project RuralReach at UND’s Gorman Field UAS Test Range

The UND Aerospace UAS Test Range at Gorman Field in Emerado, N.D., is a facility designed to test and train new UAS technology. At the Range, the building pictured offers office, work and hanger space for UAV testing and development. Center for Innovation photo.

What:

Project RuralReach will launch a critical use case test with advanced unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), demonstrating the systems’ potential to enhance disaster response, situational awareness and resource mobilization in rural communities.

The live demonstration will feature multiple flight missions, including search and rescue, transmission line inspection, and data collection using RGB and LiDAR sensors, all operated by Censys Technologies. (RGB or Red, Green and Blue sensors are especially useful for creating high-resolution, color-accurate images from aerial perspectives. LiDAR or Light Detection and Ranging sensors generate precise, three-dimensional information that can be used to develop digital and highly detailed maps.)

Flights will take place over the English Coulee Diversion area, launching from the Gorman Field UAS Test Range.

When:

Wednesday, September 10, 2025
9 a.m. – 3 p.m. (weather permitting)

Where:

Gorman Field UAS Test Range
1209 24th St NE, Emerado, N.D. 58228

Flight Details:

Multiple flight missions throughout the day:
- Launch #1: Search & Rescue Mission (9:15 a.m.)
- Launch #2: Transmission Line Flyover (~11:15 a.m., 30 minutes)
- Launch #3: Data Collection (RGB & LiDAR) (1:30 p.m.)

Payload swaps and Q&A sessions after missions
Demonstration of real-time situational awareness, data collection and resource mobilization in rural scenarios

Why It Matters:

This demonstration highlights the growing role of UAS technology in strengthening rural resilience and supporting emergency response. Project RuralReach showcases real-world drone applications that help first responders and communities respond more efficiently to emergencies, gather critical data and improve overall safety and connectivity in sparsely populated areas.

Visual Opportunities:

Live drone launches and landings
Payload swaps and real-time data demonstrations
Interviews with flight operators and project stakeholders
Behind-the-scenes look at UAS prep and operations

Image:

Gorman Field building, 1.4MB: The UND Aerospace UAS Test Range at Gorman Field in Emerado, N.D., is a facility designed to test and train new UAS technology. At the Range, the building pictured offers office, work and hanger space for UAV testing and development. Center for Innovation photo.

Media Contact:

Haylee Bjork, Marketing Outreach Coordinator
Organization: UND Center for Innovation

Email: haylee.bjork@und.edu
Phone: 701.777.3281

Project Rural Reach: Emergency Response UAS Test Launch

Posted on August 22, 2025 by Haylee Bjork - News, RuralReach

Date: Wednesday, September 10, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: Gorman Field UAS Test Range, 1209 24th St NE, Emerado, ND 58228

As part of Project RuralReach, Censys Technologies has been selected to lead a critical use case test focused on improving disaster response, real-time situational awareness, and resource mobilization through advanced unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).

This live demonstration will highlight how UAS technology can be deployed in emergency scenarios to support first responders and rural communities.

Flight Timeline:

9:00 AM – Welcome & overview of Censys Technologies and Project Rural Reach
9:15 AM – Launch #1: Search & Rescue Mission
11:00 AM – Land & open Q&A session (payload swap)
11:15 AM – Launch #2: Transmission Line Flyover (~30 min)
1:00 PM – Land & payload swap
1:30 PM – Launch #3: Data Collection (RGB & LiDAR)
3:00 PM – Final landing & event conclusion

📢 Who’s Invited:
Media representatives, community members, and anyone interested in seeing cutting-edge UAS technology in action.

This is a unique opportunity to experience Project RuralReach in motion — testing real-world drone solutions designed to strengthen rural resilience and emergency response capabilities.

Center for Innovation, partners complete landmark medical drone delivery trial

Posted on August 6, 2025 by Haylee Bjork - News, RuralReach

Project Rural Reach flight carries medical supplies from Williston, N.D., to Watford City, N.D., in just over 35 minutes

Dr.Kazin collecting medical supplies from drone — **Dr. Ben Kazim of McKenzie Health, a hospital and clinic in Watford City, N.D., receives medical supplies at the hospital from the drone. Photo courtesy of Absolute Studios.**

By Haylee Bjork

In a notable step toward improving health care access in rural communities, Project Rural Reach successfully launched its first long-range drone delivery flight on July 24. The mission showed how unmanned aircraft systems can bridge critical gaps in medical logistics across North Dakota’s rural landscape.

“The 80-mile flight carried medical supplies over the western North Dakota prairie, from Williston to Watford City,” reported AirMed&Rescue, a publication dedicated to the international air medical and search-and-rescue community.

“The trial demonstrates the real-world potential of Beyond Visual Line of Sight or BVLOS drone deliveries in rural areas,” the story continued. “Unlike previous deliveries, which were conducted in tightly controlled urban environments, this mission aimed to demonstrate the ability of drones to navigate a ‘dynamic, uncontrolled airspace, populated by low-flying, non-cooperative aircraft.’”

Jeff Barta, project manager for UND’s Center for Innovation, noted that the successful delivery took only a little over a half hour. That’s important: “Instead of a delivery taking 60 to 90 minutes from start to finish, UAS technology can complete emergency medication deliveries in 35 minutes,” he said.

“Those saved minutes could mean the difference between life and death, especially in underserved rural areas.”

Project RuralReach is a federally funded initiative initiative led by the Center for Innovation in partnership with the Northern Plains UAS Test Site, Vantis, iSight Drone Services and McKenzie Health, a hospital and clinic in Watford City, N.D. It was funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) through its ARPA Economic Adjustment Assistance Program.

This first use case initiative showcases the power of UAS to improve access to rural health care supplies, while testing the capabilities of North Dakota’s statewide Vantis network, the nation’s first UAS system for beyond visual line of sight flights.

“The use of drones has the potential to enhance the delivery of health care by rapidly transporting crucial lab samples, medications and supplies to and from remote clinics and locations,” said Peter Edis, CEO of McKenzie Health. “This technology can reduce delays caused by geographic isolation, harsh weather or staffing shortages. By improving logistics, drones can help ensure timely care, continuity of services and better patient outcomes — especially when time is of the essence.”

Project Rural Reach Featured on KFYR — **In this screenshot from a KFYR-TV news report, the Supervolo drone operated by iFlight Drone Services is shown arriving at its destination in Watford City, N.D.**

The Supervolo drone, measuring just over 6 feet long and with a wingspan of nearly 10 feet, was operated by iSight Drone Services of Grand Forks, N.D.

The successful launch marks the beginning of a series of flight tests aimed at evaluating how UAS technology can be integrated into health care infrastructure to serve remote communities more efficiently. Future flights will expand to additional rural areas and include further use cases to examine power needs and partnerships with emergency responders.

“Rural communities don’t have the luxury of cooperative-only airspace,” said Erin Roesler, deputy executive director of the Northern Plains UAS Test Site. “What makes this operation so impactful is that it proves BVLOS can be done safely, even in complex, real-world rural environments, and that it can bring real value to North Dakota communities.”

In a few weeks, the next flight will use Censys Technologies’ drones to evaluate the resources, technology and infrastructure needed to deploy drones in partnership with emergency responders as part of disaster response, real-time situational awareness and crisis resource mobilization. This data will build on this first use case for rural medical care supply delivery.

For UND and its partners, Project Rural Reach is more than a tech demonstration, Barta said. It’s part of a bold vision for transforming rural health care through innovation and collaboration.

Learn More about Project RuralReach

MEDIA ADVISORY: Long-range test flight to show drones’ potential to supply rural North Dakota

Posted on July 21, 2025 by Haylee Bjork - News, RuralReach

What:
Project RuralReach will launch its first use-case test with a long-range drone flight, demonstrating the potential of unmanned aircraft to connect rural communities with medical goods using the Vantis system.

The flight will feature a Supervolo drone operated by iSight Drone Services and showcase a 34-mile Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) journey between Williston and Watford City, N.D.

When:
Thursday, July 24, 2025
9 a.m. (weather permitting)

Where:
Launch from Williston TrainND Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) park, located at 1500 E. Dakota Parkway, Williston, N.D.

Landing at Watford City Municipal Airport, 200 12th Street Southeast, Watford City, N.D.
(One-hour drive between locations)

Flight Details:

34-mile flight path
Up to 4,000 feet in altitude
iSight drone operated on the Vantis statewide UAS network
Estimated flight duration: ~1 hour

Why It Matters:
The flight will mark a key milestone in North Dakota’s commitment to advancing unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for public benefit, improving connectivity, delivery, and emergency response across rural regions. Project RuralReach aims to demonstrate real-world drone applications in sparsely populated areas.

Visual Opportunities:

Drone launch and landing
Interviews with flight operators and project stakeholders
Behind-the-scenes look at UAS flight prep and live tracking

Media Contact:

Haylee Bjork, Marketing Outreach Coordinator
Organization: UND Center for Innovation

Email: haylee.bjork@und.edu
Phone: 701.777.3281

How UAS could help ‘revolutionize rural living’

Posted on September 6, 2022 by Haylee Bjork - RuralReach

Federal grant will help UND, North Dakota put uncrewed aerial systems to best use

Tau Drones fly missions to study heat loss on UND campus steam pipes and to monitor pipelines for the oil and gas industry.

In August, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) awarded a $1 million grant to UND to conduct an economic impact study and commercialization strategy for the state’s uncrewed aerial systems network.

To accomplish this work, the project will leverage several University of North Dakota departments: The UND Center for Innovation (CFI), the UND School of Aerospace Sciences, the UND Research Institute for Autonomous Systems (RIAS), and the UND Institute for Policy and Business Analytics.

In addition to the University of North Dakota, the Northern Plains UAS Test Site, Thales Group and the state of North Dakota will help implement demonstration projects, strengthen connections between state agencies and collaborate on developing the statewide commercialization and economic studies.

The UND Center for Innovation will lead the effort and coordinate grant partners. The award is funded by the American Rescue Plan and EDA’s $300 million Coal Communities Commitment. North Dakota is prepared to grow this emerging industry sector so its coal-impacted communities, tribal nations and rural communities can increase economic resilience, identify entrepreneurial opportunities, increase efficiencies, enhance safety and bring new capabilities to businesses and people.

“This is an exciting opportunity to think strategically about North Dakota’s fast-growing autonomous industry sector with our partners across the state,” said Amy Whitney, director of the UND Center for Innovation (CFI), “The intended strategy will help us to further position North Dakota as a national leader while enabling us to know how to revolutionize rural living through the use of uncrewed aerial systems.”

The project will examine economic development opportunities and applications of uncrewed aerial systems across North Dakota. This two-year project capitalizes on ND’s reputation as the Silicon Valley for drones with goals focused on showcasing the state as a destination for UAS operations. Featured outcomes of this project include:

(1) A statewide economic impact study and commercialization strategy with a specific focus on rural community connectivity, tribal nations and coal-impacted communities.

(2) Three demonstration projects with industry partners to validate technology, identify opportunities and recognize barriers to commercialization and implementation such as policy, regulation, infrastructure, etc. to inform current and future investments.

“The Institute of Policy and Business Analytics is pleased to contribute economic and policy analysis to the interdisciplinary and diverse project team. The project will serve as an important foundation for the UAS ecosystem in North Dakota, which will continue to evolve as an important economic engine in the state,” said Jason Jensen, executive director of the UND Institute for Policy and Business Analytics.

Over the past decade, North Dakota has helped a fast-growing autonomous regional industry position itself as a national testing site for uncrewed aerial system innovations (both on land and in air and space). This project allows North Dakota to create a shared vision to cluster resources around this fast-growing autonomous-technology corridor.

“We’ve built a cluster of innovative organizations that are all aligned to push the future of what is possible in the UAS industry,” said Trevor Woods, executive director of the Northern Plains UAS Testing Site.

Existing capabilities of the region’s autonomous technology industry include: the Northern Plains UAS Test Site and their Vantis program, the nation’s only statewide network to operate aerial vehicles beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS); statewide technology deployment for autonomous vehicles; an autonomous farming innovation park; an EDA-funded University Center focused on autonomous system business development; a drone technology business park; a university degree program specifically developed for designing and piloting autonomous vehicles and space-related technologies; and an educational system supporting computer and cyber science from kindergarten to PhD.

“The project is designed to support transformational growth of the entrepreneurial ecosystem by developing world-class startups and increasing venture capital investment,” said Anthony Maher, UND CFI Entrepreneur Lead for Startup Growth & Fundraising.

Original Article