Challenge ULTRA to Revolutionize DoD Logistics and Site visitors Administration with Superior UAS Expertise
by DRONELIFE Employees Author Ian J. McNabb
Grand Forks County, situated in jap North Dakota, not too long ago introduced a brand new strategic partnership with GrandSKY, a neighborhood UAV-specific enterprise improvement space situated at Grand Forks Air Drive Base. Referred to as Challenge ULTRA, (UAS Logistics, Site visitors, Analysis, and Autonomy), the brand new partnership goals to enhance the UAS capabilities of the Division of Protection (DOD). These efforts are supported by Senator John Hoeven and aligned with the strategic objectives of the Workplace of the Beneath Secretary of Protection for Acquisition & Sustainment (OUSD(A&S)).
Involving federal and personal entities together with NASA, the Air Drive Analysis Laboratory, and MITRE, Challenge ULTRA goals to make use of UAS expertise to revolutionize logistics and visitors administration throughout the Nationwide Airspace System.
“We’re very happy for Grand Forks County to be part of Challenge ULTRA,” stated David Engen, Chairman, Grand Forks County Fee. “This contract builds on the investments the County has made in GrandSKY and displays the vested curiosity the County has in base retention and supporting the women and men who work and serve at Grand Forks AFB. We’re additionally happy that the County can present this service and help the workforce that may execute on this work.”
In response to the press launch, the venture, contracted by Washington Headquarters Providers, is structured below a 5-year Indefinite Supply/Indefinite Amount (ID/IQ) contract with a most ceiling of $18.25 million. Activity orders will probably be issued to outline particular initiatives and funding particulars, with Activity Order 01 valued at $2,480,281, set to start on/about Might 29, 2024, and conclude by September 30, 2024.
Key Targets of Challenge ULTRA:
- Improve airspace situational consciousness and visitors administration throughout the NAS by testing and analysis of UTM and different visitors administration techniques.
- Develop dependable, replicable, and scalable logistical and provide supply techniques to distant navy areas.
- Make the most of Past Visible-Line-of-Sight (BVLOS) capabilities to create scalable service fashions for varied DoD installations.
- Combine Small UAS (sUAS) capabilities to enhance the standard of life for navy personnel and their households.
- Develop sustainable and scalable Counter UAS (cUAS) applied sciences to reinforce bodily safety measures at navy amenities and to combine cUAS applied sciences with visitors administration.
The venture goals to make the most of North Dakota’s well-developed UAS infrastructure and align the pursuits of a number of organizations to attain their operational objectives. The Northern Plains UAS Take a look at Website (NPUASTS), a pacesetter in autonomous expertise options, will present vital help in flight route modeling, UAS choice, and FAA coordination.
“On behalf of GrandSKY, we’re grateful for this chance and searching ahead to working with a really succesful workforce,” stated Tom Swoyer, President, GrandSKY. “We respect Grand Forks County stepping up and supporting this effort and we are going to construct on our already very robust partnership with the Northern Plains Take a look at Website. We stay up for leveraging our present capabilities to speed up the event of UAS-based supply options, counter-UAS, and finally integrating all of it with state-of-the-art UAS visitors administration.”
“We’re excited to work with our companions on Challenge ULTRA to operationalize these vital missions for the Division of Protection,” stated Trevor Woods, Govt Director, Northern Plains UAS Take a look at Website. “Our work will result in necessary enhancements in logistics and visitors administration, and with our workforce’s prior expertise enabling Past Visible-Line-of-Sight (BVLOS), we’re persevering with to speed up capabilities for trade and protection.”
Extra data on the GrandSky venture is accessible right here.
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, an expert drone providers market, and a fascinated observer of the rising drone trade and the regulatory setting for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles centered on the business drone house and is a world speaker and acknowledged determine within the trade. Miriam has a level from the College of Chicago and over 20 years of expertise in excessive tech gross sales and advertising and marketing for brand new applied sciences.
For drone trade consulting or writing, E mail Miriam.
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