Thales will aim to deploy surveillance and communications infrastructure in the greater McKenzie County area as part of the BVLOS network. The sensors and communications network will support mission and network operations.

Thales will integrate new and existing infrastructure into a cloud-based traffic management software as a service (SaaS) platform supporting users at the Vantis mission and network operations cetner located at the Grand Sky facility near Grand Forks, North Dakota. The Thales TopSky UAS Traffic Management (UTM) platform is a cloud platform blending air traffic control technologies with national, regional, and local data to facilitate real-time situational awareness.

The company’s experience as a large-scale systems integrator and its open aviation platform aim to enable Thales to work with leading North Dakota companies and strategic partners, including Airspace Link, Appareo, Botlink, Terma, uAvionix and Verizon Skyward, to deliver the statewide network.