Students steeped in the digital games and gadgets culture will feel like they've scored the ultimate ride at the University of North Dakota John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences' (UND Aerospace's) new universe of high-tech, computer-controlled, remotely operated aircraft.

Welcome to UND's latest extreme global enterprise: unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and the cross-disciplinary, multi-college Center of Excellence for Economic Development program that UND Aerospace dean Bruce Smith is fast-tracking to support research, teaching, and learning in this hot new aviation technology.

"We couldn't be more excited about this opportunity," says Smith. "UAS has leaped to the forefront of aviation research. This provides a completely different track from what we've already got going on here at UND Aerospace."

This new UND program incorporates research capabilities in UND Aerospace, the School of Engineering and Mines, the College of Nursing through its new Northern Plains Center for Behavioral Research, the College of Arts and Sciences, and the College of Business and Public Administration's Center for Innovation.

"This project attracts a whole new kind of student," says Smith, a former airline industry executive and aviation safety and instructional design expert. "Today, we have students who are thoroughly into computer games. They're ingrained in computer simulations and virtual worlds. Many love aviation but they don't necessarily want to be in the cockpit or be an air traffic controller. With UAS, they can sit at a console and fly airplanes all day."

The new research-based UAS center also will provide expanding opportunities for scientists and students, especially in engineering, who want to be involved in both aerospace and in day-to-day science.

"UAS is absolutely the ideal choice for them," says Smith, who points to a broad array of technological and scientific challenges that will keep researchers busy for years.

For more information, visit the UND Discovery Web site.

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