Northrop Grumman has committed to being the anchor tenant of a proposed unmanned aircraft systems technology park at Grand Forks Air Force Base, according to Gov. Jack Dalrymple and Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D.
They said Wednesday that the defense contractor, which makes the Global Hawk drones stationed at the base, has pledged to work with local and regional leaders seeking to lease unused base land.
An anchor tenant is needed for the lease agreement.
Hoeven said he expects a lease with the Air Force to be signed later this year and construction to begin in spring 2014. "All the parties are working together and on track," he said. "I believe it will happen by next spring."
Northrop Grumman now employs about 40 in Grand Forks.
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The area Base Realignment Impact Committee, UND, the UND Aerospace Foundation and the Northland Aerospace Foundation of Thief River Falls are the parties working on the lease agreement with the Air Force.
Local and state leaders are also pushing the Federal Aviation Administration to make North Dakota one of six test sites for integrating drones with manned aircraft in the national airspace.
"Northrop Grumman recognizes the many opportunities that exist around North Dakota's strong aerospace industry and resources," Dalrymple said in a news release. "We have the air space, UND aerospace sciences, the Air Force and many other resources that can support a national hub for UAS technology and research."
The governor spoke with Wednesday by phone with Thomas Vice, who heads Northrop Grumman's aerospace systems division. They agreed to meet in the Grand Forks area as soon as their schedules allow.
In November, Vice and other company executives toured the base with Hoeven.
The senator said Wednesday that Northrop Grumman plans to announce what specific activities it would bring to Grand Forks May 30 at the annual UAS Summit in town.
"This is a very important step because it makes our base unique," Hoeven said. "It's also important to keep us in the running for a new tanker mission at the base."
The Grand Forks base is one of four finalists to be the Air Force's main operating base for the new KC-46-A flying tankers.
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Call Bonham at (701) 780-1110; (800) 477-6572, ext. 1110; or send email to kbonham@gfherald.com .
