Vigilant Aerospace Systems has joined the leadership team of the Great Plains chapter of the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI). This follows Vigilant Aerospace’s expansion into North Dakota and supports regional collaboration on safe, scalable uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) operations.
Supporting regional UAS integration
The AUVSI Great Plains Chapter brings together industry, government, and academic stakeholders across the Upper Great Plains. The chapter’s published focus includes collaboration, information sharing, and engagement on strategies that advance UAS operations and technology adoption in the region.
For organizations operating in North Dakota, these partnerships often support practical coordination. This can include flight operations planning, test activity, and alignment on policies and procedures that affect regional UAS activity. Vigilant Aerospace’s participation is intended to contribute to that coordination and support safer integration.
Chapter priorities
Based on the chapter’s public descriptions, priorities include:
- Building collaboration among regional stakeholders
- Supporting research, development, and test activity
- Strengthening relationships across the regional ecosystem
- Expanding advocacy and representation on broader platforms
The regional UAS ecosystem includes universities, test infrastructure, and commercial operators. AUVSI Great Plains organizations such as the University of North Dakota (UND), North Dakota State University (NDSU), and the Northern Plains UAS Test Site are key participants in North Dakota’s UAS growth.
Relevance to operational safety
As UAS programs move toward routine beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations, regional alignment becomes more operationally important. Industry groups like AUVSI chapters often provide a mechanism for consistent engagement across operators, infrastructure providers, and public-sector stakeholders. Participation in the AUVSI Great Plains Chapter is intended to strengthen alignment with regional stakeholders as UAS activity expands in North Dakota.
About AUVSI
The Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) supports the uncrewed systems and robotics community through advocacy, research, education, and member programming. It convenes industry stakeholders through events and member networks to share operational, technical, and policy developments.
About the AUVSI Great Plains Chapter
The AUVSI Great Plains Chapter is part of AUVSI’s chapter network and supports regional coordination and engagement related to uncrewed systems operations, policy, and technology development. The chapter provides a regional forum for members to connect, exchange information, and align around priorities relevant to Upper Great Plains operations.
Members of the Great Plains chapter of AUVSI include: The University of North Dakota, North Dakota State University, Northland Community & Technical College, Lake Region State College, the Northern Plains UAS Test Site, General Atomics, Northrop Grumman, GrandSky, Xcel Energy, Sky Skopes, Edge Data, Packet Digital, eSmart Systems, iSight RPV Services, SC Recon Drone Intelligence, Robot Aviation, Elbit Systems, UAi International, and Vigilant Aerospace Systems.
Vigilant Aerospace is the leading developer of multi-sensor detect-and-avoid and airspace management software for uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS or drones). The company’s product, FlightHorizon, is based on two NASA patents and uses data from multiple sources to display a real-time picture of the air traffic around a UAS and to provide automatic avoidance maneuvers to prevent collisions. The software is designed to meet industry technical standards, to provide automatic safety and to allow UAS to safely fly beyond the sight of the pilot. The software has won multiple industry awards and the company has had contracts and users at NASA, the FAA, the U.S. Department of Defense and with a variety of drone development programs. Visit our website at www.VigilantAerospace.com