Core Insights - AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) has expanded its collaboration with GrandSKY to establish a counter-drone defense architecture at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, as part of the Golden Dome for America initiative [1][2][4] Group 1: Partnership and Technology Deployment - The partnership aims to enhance situational awareness at Grand Forks AFB and develop limited area defense capabilities across critical sites in the U.S. [2][4] - AV will deploy its inner layer distributed counter-UAS capabilities, which are essential for addressing the increasing threat of malicious drones targeting critical infrastructure [2][3] - The integration of AV's Titan and Titan-SV RF-based platforms will facilitate long-range detection and identification, unified through the AV_Halo COMMAND software platform [3][4] Group 2: Strategic Importance and Government Support - The collaboration is supported by Senator John Hoeven, emphasizing the importance of counter-drone technology for national defense, especially in light of recent global conflicts [4][5] - The partnership builds on a March 2025 memorandum of understanding (MOU) related to Project ULTRA, a $110 million initiative aimed at establishing Grand Forks as a proving ground for advanced counter-UAS defense [4][5] Group 3: Operational Capabilities and Future Directions - GrandSKY provides a 217-acre flight center with extensive BVLOS capabilities and 24/7 operations, facilitating research, development, training, and testing for UAS and counter-UAS technologies [7] - The collaboration will enable comprehensive testing and operational demonstrations to address UAS threats effectively, ensuring robust domestic defense capabilities [5][6]