GA-ASI Opening New Remote Split Operation in North Dakota

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. held a ribbon cutting ceremony on October 30 at its Flight Test & Training Center (FTTC) to announce the opening of a new Remote Split Operation (RSO) facility.

GA-ASI will use the new RSO facility to continue executing the Contractor-Owned, Contractor Operated (COCO) lease of its MQ-9A Remotely Piloted Aircraft that support the U.S. Africa Command. GA-ASI is the manufacturer of MQ-9A and will use the new RSO facility, located near Grand Forks, North Dakota, to remotely fly operations in support of the U.S. Department of War.The facility features two ground control stations — each about the size of a Conex shipping container — where multimember crews control General Atomics’ MQ-9 Reaper drones. Missions involving these crews are conducted through U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), which encompasses nearly all of the African continent.The RSO opening event included U.S. Senator John Hoeven (R-ND) and GA-ASI CEO Linden Blue. Sen. Hoeven’s office was instrumental in establishing this support center in North Dakota.

“General Atomics is moving pilots from Africa to Grand Forks to remotely fly their missions for AFRICOM. Doing so makes perfect sense, and that’s why we worked through the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee to make it happen. This new facility is not only a real cost savings for AFRICOM, which will save more than $10 million per year as pilots operate from Grand Forks rather than overseas, but it also brings a broader intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance portfolio to our state. We appreciate GA-ASI CEO Linden Blue for his company’s continued investment in our state and for working with us to strengthen our national defense and intelligence gathering capabilities, which are vital to the success of our warfighters,”

said U.S. Senator John Hoeven.

“We’re excited to establish this new facility in North Dakota,”

said Blue.

“Setting up our remote flight operations here in North Dakota will allow us to decrease the number of personnel required overseas, significantly reducing the cost of the COCO to the U.S. government and, more importantly, significantly increase the safety for our personnel. It will also bring approximately 50 well-paying jobs to the Grand Forks community.”

“People can be quite expensive when you have to send them for sustained periods, especially to a war zone,” Linden Blue, CEO of General Atomics’ aviation division, said. “You no longer have to ship this and maintain it at a forward location. It’s a big boots-on-the-ground savings, which translates into cost savings.”

Photo: Defence contractor executives and U.S. Sen. John Hoeven cut the ribbon on a new drone operations center on Friday, Oct. 30, 2026 at GrandSky. From left to right, Shannon Tolliver, SMX SR. Vice President; Linden Blue, CEO of General Atomics’ aerospace division; Hoeven; Erin Roesler, General Atomics director of air systems training; and Jason Hammond, General Atomics director of leasing and services. Carter DeJong / Grand Forks Herald

Sources: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.; Grand Forks Herald

Leave a Reply Cancel reply