Harris partnering with North Dakota organizations to develop, test BVLOS network for UAS operations

MELBOURNE, Fla.Harris Corp. (NYSE:HRS) engineers in Melbourne, Florida, are applying their expertise in manned air traffic management (ATM) to unmanned aircraft system (UAS), or drone, operations. Harris engineers is helping develop an integrated network infrastructure for beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) UAS operations and partnering with end users to test flight operations in real-world environments.

Officials at Harris and North Dakota announced a partnership agreement today to create the first UAS network in the nation to provide a full range of aviation-grade services for safe and efficient UAS BVLOS operations. Representatives then conducted a UAS flight demonstration during Harris’ Tech Expo being held February 27-March 3 in Melbourne.

Harris will partner with the University of North Dakota and the Northern Plains UAS Test Site to develop the network infrastructure system under a Research North Dakota grant awarded by the North Dakota Centers of Excellence Commission.

The grant includes the development of aviation-grade network services specifically for UAS operations. It is a continuation of a previous grant that included development and a risk and safety assessment of UAS detect-and-avoid technology. The UAS BVLOS network will be developed within the Grand Forks-to-Fargo corridor.

Harris is working to develop a regional infrastructure that is scalable to the whole state of North Dakota, and eventually to the entire U.S. Developing this high-performance networked infrastructure will help accelerate regulatory approval of BVLOS UAS operations.

"The use of UAS for business operations – such as remotely monitoring power lines, farms, and rail tracks – represents the future for many organizations," says George Kirov, vice president and general manager of commercial UAS solutions at Harris Electronic Systems. "Harris is applying the same innovation and expertise that made us a leader in manned aircraft air traffic management solutions to integrate commercial UAS operations into the National Airspace System.”

“By collaborating with the University of North Dakota and Harris, the Northern Plains UAS Test Site will have the opportunity to evaluate, develop, and implement a UAS network and airspace services,” says Nicholas Flom, executive director for the Northern Plains UAS Test Site. “This network will create a real-world environment for users to develop, test, and certify new products and services.”

“North Dakota is committed to creating an environment where organizations like Harris Corporation, the University of North Dakota, and the Northern Plains UAS Test Site may pursue new and exciting opportunities with UAS,” adds Brian Opp, manager, Aerospace Business Development, North Dakota Department of Commerce.

Harris is looking to partner with end users, such as railroads and electric utility companies in the area, to create UAS test scenarios. As the project continues, Harris expects to test scenarios including railway inspection, roadway inspection, transmission line inspection, precision agriculture, public safety and emergency services, expanded flight operations, and more.

Harris Corp. is solving customers’ toughest mission-critical challenges by providing solutions that connect, inform, and protect. Harris supports government and commercial customers in more than 100 countries and has approximately $6 billion in annual revenue. The company is organized into three business segments: Communication Systems, Space and Intelligence Systems and Electronic Systems.

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