Univ. of North Dakota to offer UAS major

GRAND FORKS, N.D., Oct. 16 (UPI) -- The University of North Dakota announced the launch of a new undergraduate program designed to train unmanned aerial vehicle pilots and sensor operators.

Bruce Smith, dean of the John Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences at the University of North Dakota, announced the new program will offer undergraduate students the opportunity to major in UAS operations marking the first-of-its-kind program in the United States.

The UAS major program, designed to support the rapidly evolving military and commercial UAS reconnaissance and intelligence-gathering market demands, will offer pilot and sensor operator degree possibilities.

"UAS is an emerging technology that has experienced dramatic growth over the past decade," Bruce Smith said in a statement.

"As platform use increases with military, law enforcement and other commercial applications, the demand for qualified pilots and operators will increase as well. Our program offers tremendous career opportunities to students who are passionate about aviation and aspire to push the envelope of innovation."