Why is North Dakota considered a potential hub for the drone industry?

North Dakota offers vast open airspace, a supportive regulatory environment, and world-class aviation education through the University of North Dakota. These factors create a favorable ecosystem for UAS testing, operations, and company growth. The state has actively invested in positioning itself as a leader in drone commerce and innovation.

What is SkySkopes and what role does it play in the UAS industry?

SkySkopes is a commercial drone services company founded by Matt Dunlevy and headquartered in North Dakota. The company provides UAS-based data collection and inspection services across industries such as energy and infrastructure. It represents the kind of commercial drone enterprise that North Dakota's ecosystem is designed to nurture.

How does the University of North Dakota contribute to the drone industry?

UND is one of the top aviation universities in the United States and has expanded its programs to include UAS education and research. Through initiatives like the Unmanned Aircraft Systems program and roles such as Executive in Residence, UND helps translate academic expertise into industry-ready talent and practical applications. This academic foundation is a key pillar of North Dakota's drone industry ambitions.

Is North Dakota Primed to be the “Silicon Valley of Drones”

Grant Guillot and UAS expert Matt Dunlevy discuss North Dakota's potential to become a national hub for the drone industry, drawing parallels to Silicon Valley's role in tech. They explore the state's unique advantages — including UND's aviation programs, favorable airspace, and supportive regulatory environment — that position it as a leader in commercial drone development.

This story was produced through MarketScale. See how Software & Technology teams put it to work with Executive Thought Leadership.

By Grant Guillot · February 17, 2022, 2:58 PM UTCDrones in AmericaNorth DakotaUasUas Industry

Key takeaways

North Dakota has structural advantages — open airspace, UND's aviation expertise, and a pro-business climate — that make it a strong candidate for UAS industry leadership.

Matt Dunlevy's SkySkopes is an example of commercial drone enterprise growing out of North Dakota's ecosystem.

The University of North Dakota plays a central role in cultivating drone talent and research that supports industry growth.

Grant Guillot, the host of Drones in America, welcomed renowned UAS industry expert Matt Dunlevy to a discussion of the significance of the drone industry and why it matters. Dunlevy, Founder of SkySkopes and Executive in Residence at UND (University of North Dakota), has an impressive resume.

In addition to his “day job”, Dunlevy is the Honorary Commander of the UAS Mission at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota. And, as if that wasn’t impressive enough, Dunlevy acquired his Master of Arts degree in January 2021. His theses, North Dakota’s New Frontier: Unmanned Aircraft, is sure to have broad public appeal. The UAS industry is conceptualized through the lens of being a frontier which is a topic most people are familiar with.

Dunlevy’s enthusiasm for Unmanned Aircraft System technology as well as its historical importance is evident from the very beginning of the podcast. He opened by highlighting the advantages drones give the United States on the battlefield but goes on to open the discussion to go beyond this commonly known fact.

“I think it’s an important thing to remind people that you know we have this commercial UAS industry and then we also have the defense UAS industry where the United States of America is by far, far and away, the number one entity with UAS. In defense, they usually call it RPA.” He also spoke about the importance of recognizing all aspects of UAS which led to a discussion of his thesis. From there, the conversation ebbed and flowed through historical references as well as the current and future state of the UAS industry.

Whether a UAS enthusiast or a layperson who is interested in learning more about the past and present of the UAS industry in both the commercial and defense sectors, this fascinating discussion is sure to both entertain and educate.