US-based Harris has secured a grant from the University of North Dakota to help develop a solution that will enable beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or drones.

Harris will partner with the University of North Dakota and Northern Plains UAS Test Site (NPUASTS) under the two-year research grant in order to develop a UAS network within the Grand Forks-to-Fargo corridor in the US.

The project aims to offer a full range of aviation-grade services for safe and efficient UAS BVLOS operations across the country.

The award follows a previous grant that covered the development and risk and safety assessment of UAS detect-and-avoid technology. The value of the newly awarded grant has not been disclosed,

Harris electronic systems commercial UAS solutions vice-president and general manager George Kirov said: “The use of UAS for business operations, such as remotely monitoring power lines, farms, and rail tracks, represents the future for many organisations.

“Harris is applying the same innovation and expertise that made us a leader in manned aircraft air traffic management solutions to integrate commercial UAS operations into the National Airspace System.”

"Harris is applying the same innovation that made us a leader in manned aircraft air traffic management solutions to integrate commercial UAS operations into the National Airspace System."

The company is also looking to partner with various end users, including railroads and electric utility companies in the area, to create UAS test scenarios.

It also plans create other test scenarios in the future, such as roadway inspection, transmission line inspection, precision agriculture, public safety and emergency services, among others.

Northern Plains UAS Test Site executive director Nicholas Flom said: “This network will create a real-world environment for users to develop, test and certify new products and services.”

NPUASTS is the first of six test sites selected to perform UAS research by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Image: Harris and its partners will help develop UAS network within the Grand Forks-to-Fargo corridor in the US. Photo: courtesy of Harris Corporation.