General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) 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 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.”
