Northern Plains UAS Test Site

What Northern Plains UAS Test Site does

The Northern Plains UAS Test Site (NPUASTS), founded in 2013 and headquartered in Grand Forks, North Dakota, is one of seven FAA-designated Unmanned Aircraft System test sites operating under FAA Other Transaction Agreement DTFACT-14-A-00002. Governed by the Northern Plains Unmanned Systems Authority (NPUSA) and operated in partnership with the University of North Dakota, the organization delivers flight testing, consulting, research, and facilities-access services to UAS operators across the United States. Its core technology platforms are Vantis — the nation's first statewide Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) infrastructure, created with initial state investment in 2019 — and integrated Ground-based Sense and Avoid (GBSAA) and Detect and Avoid (DAA) systems validated through the FAA's Near Term Approval Process (NTAP) framework.

The Vantis platform combines validated safety infrastructure, Section 44807 approvals enabling aircraft up to 1,320 pounds and altitudes up to 17,999 feet MSL, and exclusive non-federal access to the FAA's Federal Radar Data Enclave. NPUASTS provides operators with API access for BVLOS operations, including a free-tier onboarding launching July 1, 2026, and supports mobile/remote test ranges deployed to more than 20 U.S. states. Research services span Counter-UAS, Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), Detect and Avoid, and cooperative UAS technologies, complemented by the Drone Replacement Program assisting government clients in transitioning to NDAA-compliant aircraft.

NPUASTS operates as a government state entity rather than a privately held company. Revenue is not publicly disclosed and is derived from FAA OTA program funding, state appropriations, and commercial professional services including consulting, flight testing, research contracting, and facilities leasing. Go-to-market runs through direct enterprise engagement, industry events such as the annual UAS Summit & Expo (drawing 750+ attendees from 33 U.S. states in 2025), the Beyond the Buzz monthly webinar series, and channel partnerships with Thales for Vantis onboarding. Key strategic partnerships include the FAA, Thales, AURA Network Systems, Frontier Precision, GrandSKY, Grand Forks Air Force Base, UND, and NDSU, with the organization positioning to become one of the first Part 146 Automated Data Service Providers across all three service levels.

Name

Northern Plains UAS Test Site

Legal name

Northern Plains Unmanned Aircraft Systems Test Site

Website

https://npuasts.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Northern Plains UAS Test Site is one of seven FAA-designated UAS test sites delivering flight testing, consulting, research, and BVLOS operations services to commercial and government UAS operators across the United States, anchored by the Vantis statewide BVLOS infrastructure platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

UAS Test Site and BVLOS Infrastructure Services

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (541380), Testing Laboratories and Services (54138)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

UAS Integration, Certification & Compliance Systems (Remote ID, Detect-and-Avoid) (IMABAIAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Counter-UAS (C-UAS) Detection & Defeat Systems (IMABAOAN), Agricultural UAV/UGV Autonomy Platforms (Navigation, mission planning, fleet autonomy) (AFAAAGAF)

Keywords

• UAS flight testing
• BVLOS infrastructure
• UAS consulting services
• Drone research operations
• FAA test site

Headquarters

HQ city

Grand Forks

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. FAA UAS Test Site Program: Government funding and program support as one of seven FAA-designated UAS test sites operating under an Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) with the Federal Aviation Administration.
2. Research Services: Advancing UAS industry in Counter UAS, Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), Detect and Avoid (DAA) and cooperative UAS technologies for government and private clients.
3. Consulting Services: Offering assistance on waivers, exemptions, Certificates of Authorizations; training and third-party validations for UAS operators.
4. Flight Testing Services: Supporting UAS flight testing and BVLOS flights within designated airspace for commercial and government operators.
5. Vantis Infrastructure Access: Free API access and onboarding to Vantis statewide BVLOS infrastructure for operators to accelerate advanced UAS capabilities, with industry partner Thales providing onboarding support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Northern Plains UAS Test Site is an FAA-designated Unmanned Aircraft System Test Site that conducts flight testing, research, consulting, and provides access to controlled airspace and testing facilities for commercial and government UAS operators. It administers Vantis, the nation's first statewide beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) infrastructure, offering Section 44803 operational approvals, validated GBSAA/DAA systems, and API access to enable scalable BVLOS operations across aircraft up to 1,320 pounds and altitudes up to 17,999 feet MSL.

Product overview

The Northern Plains UAS Test Site (NPUASTS) operates as a platform of interconnected services centered around a FAA-designated UAS Test Site and the Vantis statewide BVLOS infrastructure system. The core product is the test site services encompassing research (Counter UAS, AAM, DAA, cooperative UAS), consulting (waivers, exemptions, COAs), flight testing (including BVLOS operations), and facilities access (partnerships with Grand Forks AFB, GrandSKY, universities). The Vantis platform serves as the enabling BVLOS infrastructure providing API access to operators for statewide UAS operations. Supporting programs include the Drone Replacement Program for transitioning to NDAA-compliant drones. Testing environments include GrandSKY, Camp Grafton Training Center, and Gorman Field UAS Test Range.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Vantis: North Dakota's statewide unmanned aircraft system (UAS) beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) system, the first of its kind in the nation. Created by North Dakota with an initial investment in 2019, Vantis provides turnkey support to commercial and public UAS operators through infrastructure and regulatory approvals.

Products and services

• Northern Plains UAS Test Site (NPUASTS) An FAA-designated Unmanned Aircraft System Test Site conducting flight testing, research, consultation, and offering access to facilities and assets for UAS operators to achieve commercial and autonomy goals.
• Vantis BVLOS Infrastructure North Dakota's statewide unmanned aircraft system beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) system, the first of its kind in the nation. Provides turnkey support to commercial and public UAS operators through infrastructure and regulatory approvals, including API access, validated GBSAA and DAA systems, and access to FAA Federal Radar Data Enclave data.
• Research Services Advancing the UAS industry in Counter UAS, Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), Detect and Avoid (DAA) and cooperative UAS technologies for government and private clients.
• Consulting Services Offering assistance on waivers, exemptions, Certificates of Authorizations; training and third-party validations for UAS operators.
• Flight Testing Services Supporting UAS flight testing and Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) flights within designated airspace for commercial and government operators.
• Facilities and Assets Allowing full-scale UAS operations in partnerships with Grand Forks Air Force Base, GrandSKY, research universities, and the Mission and Network Operations Center (MNOC).
• Drone Replacement Program A North Dakota state initiative that prohibits federal government subcontractors from using foreign equipment and replaces state-owned drone fleets with NDAA-compliant alternatives.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99% of voice-relay transmissions below 238 milliseconds latency for BVLOS operations
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AURA Network SystemscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 January 2026AURA Network Systems partnered with NPUASTS for FAA-sponsored BVLOS voice-relay testing. The collaboration resulted in a report demonstrating that AURA's hybrid voice-relay system meets performance requirements for BVLOS operations under Part 108. Testing in Mayville and Buxton, ND showed average latency under 192 milliseconds with 99% of transmissions below 238 milliseconds, validating voice clarity against RTCA DO-377 standards.
• GrandSKYcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrandSKY is home to advanced UAS operations, commercial tenants, research partners, and innovation. NPUASTS partners with GrandSKY for supporting full-scale UAS operations as one of the established testing environments in North Dakota.
• Grand Forks Air Force BasecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Grand Forks Air Force Base for supporting full-scale UAS operations. Grand Forks AFB provides access to airspace and facilities essential for UAS testing activities.
• University of North Dakota (UND)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNPUASTS operates on the campus of UND with access to research universities. The organization works closely with UND as a key partner in the North Dakota UAS ecosystem, providing research collaboration and talent pipeline.
• ThalescoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerThales is an industry partner working with NPUASTS to onboard operators on Vantis. Thales teaches operators how to use the system and provides API applications for flying successful missions using National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)-compliant aircraft. Thales and Vantis are advancing the FAA's vision for safe integration of UAS into the National Airspace System.
• North Dakota State University (NDSU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNPUASTS works closely with NDSU as one of the research universities in the North Dakota UAS ecosystem, supporting research and development activities.
• Grand FarmminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the North Dakota UAS ecosystem, Grand Farm collaborates with NPUASTS to advance agricultural UAS applications and innovation.
• Frontier PrecisioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFrontier Precision joined as a Champion Operator for Vantis, expanding BVLOS capabilities. As a champion operator, Frontier Precision utilizes Vantis infrastructure for UAS operations, demonstrating the system's value to the industry.
• MNOC (Mission and Network Operations Center)coreTechnology or IntegrationNPUASTS partners with the MNOC for supporting full-scale UAS operations, providing centralized monitoring and coordination capabilities for BVLOS flights.
• FAA (Federal Aviation Administration)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNPUASTS operates as one of seven FAA-designated UAS Test Sites under an Other Transaction Agreement (OTA). The organization collaborates directly with the FAA on BVLOS operations, regulatory frameworks, and integration into the National Airspace System. NPUASTS participated in the FAA's Integration Pilot Program (now BEYOND) and Near Term Approval Process (NTAP).

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• AirHub (Aibotics / Drone Industry Services): Drones as a Service (DaaS) platform providing flight operations and UTM capabilities comparable in business model to Vantis's managed BVLOS infrastructure access for operators.
• Skyward (Verizon): A drone operations management platform and emerging USS/UTM provider, comparable to Vantis as a BVLOS service-provider layer built on commercial infrastructure.
• Northern Plains / Casselton UAS ranges (Greybull Aviation / Drone World): Private UAS test ranges and training facilities emerging in proximity to NPUASTS — these are smaller commercial operators offering drone testing, training and consulting services comparable in scope to NPUASTS's flight testing business.
• Fortem Technologies: A counter-UAS / airspace awareness company, comparable to NPUASTS's counter-UAS research services and a potential disruptor in airspace surveillance if commercial solutions displace test-site-led validation.
• Iris Automation: A commercial detect-and-avoid (DAA) provider whose Casia system competes with Vantis's GBSAA/DAA offerings for BVLOS airspace safety. Comparable as a technology alternative for operators seeking BVLOS enablement.
• OneSky (formerly Resonant Sciences): UAS Traffic Management (UTM) provider competing in the SDSP/ADSP space, comparable to Vantis's positioning for Part 146 ADSP certification across service levels.

Direct peers

• Alaska Center for UAS Integration (ACUASI): A peer FAA-designated UAS Test Site under the same OTA, focused on UAS flight testing in complex environments (Arctic, maritime). Directly comparable role and operating model to NPUASTS.
• New Mexico State University Physical Science Laboratory (PSL UAS Test Site): Another of the seven FAA-designated UAS Test Sites. Comparable as a peer FAA test site conducting UAS flight testing, counter-UAS research, and supporting UAS integration into the NAS.
• State of Nevada UAS Test Site (Nevada-based Drone Test Site): One of the seven FAA-designated UAS Test Sites. Peer comparable offering UAS flight testing, BVLOS approvals and consulting services.
• Virginia Tech Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership (MAAP): One of the other six FAA-designated UAS Test Sites, operating under the same OTA framework. Directly comparable as a peer FAA UAS test site conducting BVLOS research, integration testing, and regulatory collaboration for commercial UAS in the National Airspace System.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@NPUASTS
• Xx.com/npuasts
• Facebookfacebook.com/npuasts
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/npuasts

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Northern Plains UAS Test Site