GRAND FORKS, ND ( KXNET ) — The North Dakota NASA EPSCoR program has given a grant of nearly $65,000 to the University of North Dakota’s Department of Atmospheric Sciences.

The grant will be used to develop a tool to predict wind conditions across the state.

The purpose of the tool is to help identify wind hazards for people operating Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS), such as drones, and it will be particularly useful for people conducting research on what is known as Beyond Visual Line of Sight operations.

More specifically, the tool will attempt to pinpoint sudden changes in wind speed and direction, and can also be used to help UAS operators maintain smooth flight in windy areas.

Mounir Chrit, the research assistant professor of Atmospheric Sciences at the university, says North Dakota serves as a national hub for UAS operations.

“North Dakota is all-in on UAS operations,” said Chrit, who is one of the people overseeing the grant. “It is the epicenter of commercial UAS activity and has the nation’s first UAS statewide network in ‘VANTIS.’ “

VANTIS is an infrastructure that would allow people to communicate with aircraft that have UAS, alerting them to wind conditions in the coverage area.

Chrit, as well as fellow Atmospheric Sciences professor Marwa Majdi, say this project presents an opportunity to strengthen the ties between the university and UAS operators.

To read more about the grant, visit the UND website .

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