UAS Summit hits record attendance in Grand Forks at 20th anniversary event

The 20th Annual UAS Summit & Expo drew nearly 800 attendees and a record 67 exhibitors to Grand Forks, North Dakota, on Oct. 13–14. The event featured new defense and research announcements from Sen. John Hoeven and highlighted the region’s growing role in unmanned systems and national security.

Why it matters: - The Summit’s record turnout shows the UAS sector in Grand Forks is still expanding after two decades. - The event served as a stage for new federal, military and university partnerships tied to unmanned systems, defense and aerospace innovation. - North Dakota continues to strengthen its position as a national hub for UAS testing, research and military applications.

What happened: - The 20th Annual UAS Summit & Expo took place Oct. 13–14 at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, North Dakota. - UAS Magazine produced the event, and BBI International organized it. - The Summit drew nearly 800 attendees and 67 exhibitors, both records for the event. - Leaders from government, military, academia and the UAS industry attended. - U.S. Sen. John Hoeven led major announcements during the event.

The details: - On Oct. 13, Hoeven was joined by Jared Isaacman, NASA administrator, and Gen. Michael A. Guetlein, director of Golden Dome for America. - Hoeven announced Project ATLAS, a new unmanned research initiative involving the University of North Dakota, NASA, the U.S. Department of War and the North Dakota National Guard. - Project ATLAS will focus on integrating unmanned ground vehicles and aerial systems into military training, base support and combat operations. - On Oct. 14, Hoeven announced a partnership between UND and the Department of War’s Joint Interagency Task Force 401. - With support from the Northern Plains UAS Test Site, UND will assess counter-drone technologies for defense capabilities. - UAS Magazine marked the 20th anniversary with a feature titled 20 Years, 20 Voices of the UAS Summit & Expo that highlighted people who helped shape the region’s UAS ecosystem. - The Summit presented the 2026 Senator John Hoeven UAS Sky Pioneer Award to Tom Swoyer, founder and president of GrandSKY. - GrandSKY is the nation’s first UAS-focused business and aviation park. - Swoyer was recognized for helping turn Grand Forks into a center for UAS research, testing and defense innovation. - The Summit also held Pitch Day with the Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corporation and the UAS Angel Network. - Six companies presented technologies and business concepts to investors and industry leaders.

Between the lines: - The announcements point to tighter links between UAS development and national security uses. - Project ATLAS and the UND-JIATF 401 partnership suggest the region is moving beyond testing into operational defense applications. - The record attendance and exhibitor count signal stronger industry momentum and broader interest in the market. - The anniversary framing positions Grand Forks as an established UAS ecosystem, not just an emerging one.

What’s next: - Project ATLAS is expected to advance research on unmanned systems for military use. - UND’s counter-drone work with JIATF 401 will move forward with support from the Northern Plains UAS Test Site. - The companies that pitched at Pitch Day will likely continue seeking investors and industry partnerships. - The Summit’s organizers are already looking ahead to the next decade of UAS growth.

The bottom line: - The 20th UAS Summit & Expo underscored how Grand Forks has become a national center for unmanned systems, with new partnerships pushing the industry deeper into defense and research.