Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations
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.
- Program type:
- Major
- Format:
- On Campus
- Est. time to complete:
- 4 years
- Credit hours:
- 120
Why become an unmanned aircraft systems operator?
Unmanned Aircraft Systems at UND
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Learn the skills to perform and coordinate strategies in UAS operational environments, as well as solve problems as they arise.
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Gain UAS airmanship skills commensurate with a Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument Rating.
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Gain essential knowledge in UAS related topics such as industry trends, ground and flight systems, remote sensing, aerodynamics, human factors, safety, crew resource management, UAS law and policy. These are all key principles common to UAS operations.
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Gain a working knowledge of UAS technologies and their application in governmental and civil operations.
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UND was among the first institutions selected for the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) new Collegiate Training Initiative for unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
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In 2020, students in UND's flight training programs (plane, helicopter, UAS) broke a record for hours flown (126,000).
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UND received the most FAA grants to study drones in 2021. UND is the lead research university on mitigating GPS and automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast risks, shielded UAS operations-detect and avoid (DAA), and UAS flight data.
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UND signed an agreement with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to collaborate on UAS operations, training and research.
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Non-aviation majors also have the opportunity to obtain a minor in UAS Operations to use in their particular discipline.
What can you do with a degree in unmanned aircraft systems?
UAS Degree Courses
Leader in UAS
Eric Goetsch assisted in the reconnection of power to Hurricane Harvey victims in Texas as UAV Operator with SkySkopes.