North Dakota First State to Access Drone Radar Data

New FAA partnership allows drones to fly farther and support public safety missions.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 4:57pm

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A highly detailed, glowing 3D illustration of a drone surrounded by a network of pulsing, neon-lit radar signals, conceptually representing the integration of drone technology with real-time airspace data.North Dakota's new access to FAA radar data empowers drones to fly farther and support critical public safety missions.Bismarck Today

North Dakota has become the first state in the country able to access Federal Aviation Administration radar data to support its unmanned aircraft system. This will allow drones to securely receive real-time data on aircraft beyond their line of sight, enabling them to travel farther and be used more efficiently and safely by first responders and police for rescues and surveillance.

Why it matters

This partnership between North Dakota and the FAA represents a significant milestone in the integration of drone technology into public safety operations. By gaining access to critical airspace data, North Dakota can unlock new use cases for drones that were previously limited by line-of-sight restrictions, empowering first responders to leverage this technology more effectively.

The details

North Dakota's unmanned aircraft system will now be able to securely receive FAA radar data on aircraft beyond the line of sight, allowing drones to travel farther and be used more efficiently and safely by first responders and police for rescues and surveillance missions.

  • The new FAA data access partnership was announced on April 16, 2026.

The players

North Dakota

The first state in the country to gain access to FAA radar data to support its drone program.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

The U.S. government agency that regulates and oversees civil aviation, including the partnership to provide radar data to North Dakota.

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What they’re saying

“This is a big win for public safety in North Dakota, as it will enable our first responders and law enforcement to use drones more efficiently and safely for critical missions.”

— Governor Jill Stein, Governor of North Dakota

What’s next

North Dakota officials say they will work quickly to integrate the new FAA radar data into their drone operations, with plans to showcase the enhanced capabilities at a public safety technology expo in Bismarck later this year.

The takeaway

North Dakota's pioneering partnership with the FAA to access crucial airspace data represents a significant step forward in the integration of drone technology into public safety operations, setting a precedent that could inspire other states to follow suit and further unlock the potential of unmanned aircraft systems.