North Dakota University at center of unmanned aircraft industry

From Minnesota Public Radio:

Hundreds of people are in Grand Forks this week talking about the future of unmanned aircraft. The rapidly growing industry could mean big economic development opportunities for the region.

Aerospace giant Northrup Grumman opens a new office in Grand Forks Friday, and local officials say that could be just the start of a new economic boom.

Unmanned aircraft systems are becoming big business. It’s estimated the Department of Defense will spend as much as $80 billion on unmanned aircraft in the next 10 years.