ND Excels In The Unmanned Aircraft Systems Industry

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Lt. Gov Drew Wrigley says North Dakota is "at the front of the line" in the unmanned aircraft systems industry and should be designated as a national test site.

Wrigley spoke Tuesday to a large group of aviation, military and industry leaders at a national conference in Washington.

The lieutenant governor says the combination of aerospace technology training at the University of North Dakota, electronics and computing studies at North Dakota State University, and willing high-tech business partners makes the state a good choice for the test site.

Wrigley says North Dakota is in "the right place at the right time" in a thriving industry.

The Federal Aviation Administration is expected to name the test sites by Dec. 31.

More than 8,000 people from 40 countries participated in the conference.