Washington, D.C. –Today, Congressman Rick Berg commended the attendees at the Unmanned Systems Action Summit in Grand Forks, for advancing the research and development of unmanned aircraft in North Dakota.

“As we work to create jobs and keep our country safe, investing in valuable technology like unmanned systems will remain critical to our country,” Congressman Berg stated. “I’m excited to see the continued growth of unmanned aerial systems, both in Grand Forks and throughout the nation, and I will remain a committed advocate of this technology.”

Congressman Berg, who is presently in Washington, DC on legislative business and was unable to attend the Summit due to the House schedule, offered the following remarks through a video message.

A member of the Unmanned Systems Caucus, Congressman Berg authored an amendment to the FAA reauthorization act that would allow the FAA to create new test sites to study the effectiveness of allowing UAS to share airspace and runways with commercial aircraft.  The amendment establishes criteria for the selection of the test sites, which places Grand Forks Air Force Base in a prime position to benefit from this testing and potentially be chosen as a testing site. 

Congressman Berg’s remarks and video statement are below:

Thank you for inviting me to speak with you today—I’m sorry that I was unable to join you at this summit.

But I’m happy to have this opportunity to share my support of unmanned aerial systems with you today. I want to commend you all for your efforts in promoting the research and development of this technology.

There is tremendous work being done in North Dakota. The Grand Forks Air Force base has established a great partnership with the University of North Dakota, allowing for further education and training for unmanned aircraft.

This partnership is one of the keys to the long-term success of both the Grand Forks Air Force Base and the University’s training program.  With the recent addition of UND’s UAS training facility, the opportunities for pilots, students, and researchers are many, and it’s exciting to see growing interest in this field.

I’m incredibly proud that North Dakota has become a leader in unmanned aircraft technology. With UND and the Grand Force Air Force Base partnership, our state is uniquely poised to be at the forefront of technology that holds enormous potential for our both military and private sector innovation.

The possibilities are many.  Unmanned systems will change the way our military is able to protect our nation.  It will provide new opportunities for North Dakota farmers and improve our border security.

And I’ve been working to ensure support for future development. I serve as a member of the Unmanned Systems Caucus, where I’ve worked to spread knowledge about the strategic, tactical, and scientific value of unmanned aerial systems.

Most recently, I helped author an amendment in the recent FAA reauthorization act that will further opportunities for unmanned systems development. This would allow the FAA to create four test sites to study the effectiveness of allowing unmanned aircraft to share airspace and runways with commercial aircraft.  Given the tremendous work that has already been done in Grand Forks, our state’s Air Force bases are in a prime position to benefit from this testing and potentially be chosen as testing sites. 

It’s clear to me that expanding the use of unmanned systems holds enormous potential for our state and our country. As we work to create jobs and keep our country safe, investing in valuable technology like unmanned systems will remain critical to our country.

I’m excited to see the continued growth of unmanned aerial systems, both in Grand Forks and throughout the nation, and I will remain a committed advocate of this technology.

Thank you again for allowing me time to speak with you, and I hope you enjoy the rest of the Summit.

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