Large-scale UAS Data Collection, Processing and Management for Field Crop Management - North Dakota State University (NDSU) Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering in partnership with Elbit Systems of America, LLC was awarded $357,546 to collect crop data using infrared, thermal, color and multi-spectral sensors on both large and small UAS. This data will then be compared to available satellite imagery and ground data collected using similar sensors. The analysis will be done by NDSU’s Center for Computationally Assisted Science and Technology (CCAST). Aug 13 2015 US Senator Heidi Heitkamp announces more than $715,000 in Funding for UAS Precision Agriculture Project Grant Will Make ND First State to Fly Large UAS for Precision Agriculture in National Airspace. Senator Has Championed UAS Technology for Military, Agricultural & Private Sector Uses in North Dakota BISMARCK, N.D. – U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today announced a $357,546 research grant through the North Dakota Department of Commerce funding large-scale Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) data collection and processing for use in field crop management. The partnership between North Dakota State University and Elbit Systems of America – which is matching the state’s contribution, for a total of $715,092 – will make North Dakota the first state to fly a large UAS for precision agriculture in the National Airspace System. “This exciting partnership proves yet again that North Dakota is leading the pack in finding cutting-edge uses for emerging UAS technology,” Heitkamp said. “Agriculture is critical to our state’s economy and future, and it’s great to see the UAS technologies we’re developing in the state be deployed to help farmers monitor crops, identify problems, and improve their yields. Groundbreaking technology like this could give growers a bird’s eye view of their fields, making their jobs easier – not to mention the fact that North Dakota will be making history as the first to fly a large UAS in the National Airspace System for a precision agriculture project. This grant will build off my efforts in Washington to make North Dakota the leading state for promoting UAS innovation, from bringing the head of the FAA to our state to cosponsoring legislation in Congress to support UAS research and development.”