GRAND FORKS, N.D., Oct. 15 \/PRNewswire\/ — The University of North Dakota John
\nD. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences (UND Aerospace), a world-renowned
\ncenter for aerospace research, training and learning, is the first educational
\ninstitution in the nation to offer an undergraduate major in Unmanned Aircraft
\nSystems (UAS) Operations. The program addresses the increasing demand for
\nqualified pilots and sensor operators in the rapidly growing field of UAS,
\nhigh-altitude aircraft that are flown remotely from the ground for both
\nmilitary and commercial uses.<\/p>\n
Launched in August 2009 as the only collegiate program of its type in the
\nworld, the curriculum places UND Aerospace in the midst of expanded U.S.
\nacceptance and application of long-endurance, multi-mission aircraft capable
\nof delivering persistent situational awareness and rapid strike capabilities.
\nUAS are primarily used by the military for long-endurance reconnaissance and
\nintelligence-gathering, and on missions that are too dangerous to risk the
\nlives of flight crew. Civilian uses include firefighting, law enforcement,
\nborder control, ocean surveillance and weather prediction.<\/p>\n
Describing the current shortage of qualified UAS professionals, UND Aerospace
\nDean Bruce Smith said, "UAS is an emerging technology that has experienced
\ndramatic growth over the past decade. As platform use increases with military,
\nlaw enforcement and other commercial applications, the demand for qualified
\npilots and operators will increase as well. Our program offers tremendous
\ncareer opportunities to students who are passionate about aviation and aspire
\nto push the envelope of innovation."<\/p>\n
UND Aerospace combines a liberal arts core curriculum with comprehensive
\naviation education and all-season flight training. It supports over 100
\nairplanes and helicopters, the world’s largest collegiate training fleet. More
\nthan 7,822 students have graduated from UND Aerospace since its founding in
\n1968. <\/p>\n
Consistently rated as one of the top aviation programs in the nation, UND has
\nreceived more than $24 million in federal, state and private funding since
\n2006 to research UAS performance data and national airspace issues, such as
\nhow UAS can be integrated into existing traffic patterns and airspace used by
\ncommercial and general aviation aircraft. <\/p>\n
About UND Aerospace
\nUND Aerospace is an international leader in collegiate and contract aviation
\neducation and training services. Flying over 100,000 hours annually, UND
\nAerospace also has facilities in Spokane, Wash., with Spokane Falls Community
\nCollege; Phoenix, Ariz., in conjunction with Chandler-Gilbert Community
\nCollege; and Crookston, Minn., with the University of Minnesota.<\/p>\n
With more than 1,900 students from all over the world, undergraduate and
\ngraduate programs–including several distance-learning degree programs–that
\nlead to a variety of rewarding careers in aerospace are offered through five
\ndifferent academic departments: aviation, atmospheric sciences, computer
\nscience, earth system science and policy, and space studies. The UND Aerospace
\ncomplex is the most technologically advanced environment for aerospace
\neducation, training and research in the world. For more information, visit
\nhttp:\/\/www.aero.und.edu\/.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n