North Dakota Earns National Recognition for Pioneering Drone Operations With FAA

Innovation is taking flight in North Dakota, leading to a new era of drone operations—and a national award.

Connecting the Skies to New Possibilities

North Dakota recently became the first non-federal entity in the nation to access unfiltered Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) radar data for unmanned aircraft operations, a milestone that supports safer long-distance drone flights that are beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS).

The achievement enables Vantis, North Dakota’s statewide network for advanced unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operations, to securely receive continuous information about aircraft activity in surrounding airspace.

Years of collaboration among the Northern Plains UAS Test Site (which administers Vantis), the North Dakota Department of Commerce, and Thales made the integration possible, with North Dakota Information Technology (NDIT) designing and implementing the secure digital infrastructure connecting federal aviation systems with the Vantis network.

The technology could help drones inspect power lines after storms, support search-and-rescue missions, assess hard-to-reach areas, and advance precision agriculture. By helping drones operate safely alongside traditional aircraft, Vantis is laying the groundwork for new capabilities across North Dakota’s vast geography.

Innovation Earns National Recognition

North Dakota received a 2026 Government Experience (GovX) Award from the Center for Digital Government for Vantis: Expanding What Government Can Do for North Dakota Communities.

The award recognizes the collaborative effort behind Vantis and NDIT’s role in building the secure digital infrastructure that connects federal aviation systems with the statewide network. It highlights how technology and strong partnerships can create new possibilities for the people government serves.

This recognition is a testament to what can happen when talented people and strong partnerships come together, said Corey Mock, Chief Information Officer for the State of North Dakota. NDIT is proud to have helped build the secure technology foundation behind Vantis. It’s exciting to see North Dakota’s innovative approach recognized nationally.

Recognizing Innovation in Government

The Center for Digital Government is a national research and advisory organization focused on technology and innovation in state and local government. Its annual GovX Awards recognize governments that use innovative approaches to make services more accessible, efficient, and responsive.

These awards set a high bar, with expert judges looking closely at the design and impact of services, said Rob Lloyd, Executive Director of the Center for Digital Government. This recognition reflects the commitment, creativity, and hard work governments are investing in being more responsive and accessible.

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