In First, North Dakota UAS Test Site Plugs Into FAA Radar Data

State’s Vantis network for UAS traffic management is using unfiltered radar data straight from the FAA.

Jack Daleo

Tuesday, March 03, 2026 at 09:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

North Dakota’s Northern Plains UAS Test Site is the first nonfederal entity to gain access to unfiltered FAA radar data. [Credit: Thales]

Key Takeaways:

North Dakota is pioneering uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) integration by becoming the first nonfederal entity to manage drones using unfiltered data directly from the state’s FAA radars through its Vantis network.
The Vantis network, overseen by the Northern Plains UAS Test Site, provides a unique and secure environment for testing advanced UAS capabilities, particularly Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations, in partnership with companies like Thales.
This initiative positions North Dakota as a national model for UAS traffic management, with potential for replication in other states and alignment with future FAA regulations and air traffic control modernization efforts.

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North Dakota is taking the lead on integrating uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS)—from small drones to self-flying air taxis—through a first-of-its-kind arrangement with the FAA.

The state’s Northern Plains UAS Test Site—which oversees Vantis, a statewide UAS traffic management network—is now managing uncrewed drones using unfiltered data straight from the state’s four FAA radars, becoming the first nonfederal entity with that kind of access.