John Hoeven, U.S. Senator & Thomas Swoyer, Jr, President, GrandSKY | Dawn of Autonomy | Episode 85

August 15, 2025 | Dawn Zoldi

This week on The Dawn of Autonomy, U.S. Senator John Hoeven of North Dakota and Thomas Swoyer, President of GrandSKY share insights as we continue “Bigger & Better” month, sponsored by Meadowlark Aircraft Company.

Senator Hoeven is a longtime advocate for innovation in defense and technology. He helps with policies that strengthen North Dakota’s leadership in energy, agriculture, and UAS development to support key installations and foster partnerships that drive national security and economic growth.

Swoyer leads GrandSKY, the nation’s first commercial UAS flight test and operations center, which provides advanced infrastructure, access to Air Force assets, and over 11,000 square miles of BVLOS airspace. His leadership has positioned GrandSKY as a premier hub for military and commercial UAS research, testing, and integration.

Senator Hoeven recently announced a $100 million federal funding boost for Project ULTRA, a major milestone for GrandSKY and the broader UAS ecosystem in North Dakota.

Tune in August 20 as they explore how this investment accelerates GrandSKY’s innovation, expands Project ULTRA, and unlocks new opportunities in public-private collaboration.