Unmanned Aircraft System Operations (B.S. Aero.)

Be among the first generation of unmanned aircraft specialists with training from the university that started it all.

Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) have gone from strictly military use, to a wide variety of life-saving and commercial applications. With this unique UND program, you’ll gain the expertise in unmanned aircraft to execute and manage applications in the military, firefighting, disaster relief, law enforcement, surveillance, aerial photography, transports and future uses of this rapidly evolving area.

Why Study Unmanned Aircraft System Operations at UND?

With 50 years of experience in aviation education, training, and research, UND was the first to offer a UAS degree in 2009, and our program has led the way ever since. You'll gain expertise to work in a crew environment as a Pilot operator, sensor operator, or other key team member of unmanned aircraft systems. You'll also gain a clear understanding of National Airspace System safety and operations procedures.

Our Grand Forks campus has been called "the Silicon Valley of unmanned aircraft systems" by the New York Times. UND students are given the opportunity to interact with small and large UAS companies such as Northrop Grumman, General Atomics, and Customs Border Protection. Flights are conducted regularly where UND flight students are jointly flying next to Unmanned Aircraft in the National Airspace System.

UND's UAS Aviation Degree

UND offers a comprehensive UAS Aviation degree including relative topics such as: human factors, crew resource management, autonomous systems, counter UAS applications, experience in small, medium and large UAS, safety management, and aircraft systems.

 The UAS program offers two career tracks to specialize in:

• Advanced high altitude, autonomous commercial systems
• The emerging and dynamic small UAS market

Non-aviation majors also have the opportunity to obtain a minor in UAS Operations to use in their particular discipline.

#1 Unmanned Aircraft Systems Degree in the Nation

UND remains the top academic and research institutions in the nation for unmanned aircraft systems. We consistently rank among the best for drone training and research.

#1 - Best Colleges for Drone Training

Accredited UAS Degree

UND Aerospace was the first four year degree UAS Operation program to receive Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI) Accreditation for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). Student Achievement Data