UND is first civilian operator of the UAS training system, Training Center opens today at GFAFB
The L-3/UND UAS Training Center will be open today to the public beginning at 1:30 pm with a ribbon cutting ceremony and self-guided tours.
The UAS Training Facility
The new L-3/UND UAS Training Center at Grand Forks Air Force Base is part of the UND Unmanned Aircraft Systems Center of Excellence program that was established in 2006. This new UAS training facility, located at the Grand Forks Air Force Base (Building 607) will accommodate 24 students in the classroom area with plans to make it usable for 30 in the future.
PMATS
One of the most notable features of this UAS training facility are two PMATS rooms; one will be operational immediately, the other will be available as training demand expands. The Predator Mission Aircrew Training Systems (PMATS) provides pilot and sensor operator training for the Predator and Reaper unmanned aircraft. The PMATS consist of a ground control station, instructor/operator station, brief/debrief, and a local area network cabinet.
These training systems are some of the most advanced in the world and Grand Forks Air Force Base and UND are on the cutting edge of UAS training thanks to securing PMATS in Grand Forks. UND will be the first civilian operator of the PMATS and these state-of-the-art unmanned aircraft simulators will be the cornerstone of the training center.
The facility also has a self-study library area with e-mail capability, kitchenette services, a conference room and additional office space for UND and L-3 Communication employees.
The facility will initially occupy about 5,000 square feet of space with the option to expand to 9,000 to 10,000 if the need arises.
The Dedication Ceremony
The dedication ceremony, ribbon-cutting and self-guided tours of the new L-3/UND UAS Training Center (Building 607, Grand Forks Air Force Base) will begin at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10. UND and L-3 Link Simulation and Training (L-3), North Dakota Governor’s Office, the State’s Congressional delegation, Base Realignment Impact Committee members, Grand Forks Air Force Base leaders, local dignitaries and other special guests will be in attendance.
After the remarks and the ribbon cutting, refreshments and self-guided tours will be offered to guests. UND staff members and Grand Forks Air Force Base personnel will work with members of the media to provide access to the L-3/UND UAS Training Center and key leaders and stakeholders.
About UND UAS Center of Excellence
The Unmanned Aircraft Systems Center of Excellence (UAS COE) performs research and development on UAS technologies, applications, and UAS human factors issues. The UAS COE also focuses on education and training for UAS integration into the national airspace system. Additionally, the center encourages commercialization of new UAS-related products and services and promotes private sector job growth within the state of North Dakota.
The L-3/UND UAS Training Center is the result of efforts of the State’s Congressional delegation and the North Dakota Governor’s Office to secure funds and to help establish an agreement between UND and U.S. Air Force to locate the facility at the Grand Forks Air Force Base.
The partnership between UND’s Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems, L-3 and the Grand Forks Air Force Base has converted a large building at the base into a state-of-the-art center for research, education and training.
The center is made possible in large part by funding from a $5 million state Centers of Excellence Enhancement grant, approved under the state Centers of Excellence program. The grant will fund remodeling and staffing of the facility and help purchase from L-3 of a Predator Mission Aircrew Training System (PMATS).
Original content at http://webapp.und.edu/dept/our/research_online/?p=1620 by David Dodds, writer/editor, University Relations, 777-5529, david.dodds@email.und.edu
