GA-ASI inaugurates Remote Split Operation facility in North Dakota

GA-ASI CEO Linden Blue (second from left) and Sen John Hoeven (R-ND, centre) during the ribbon-cutting ceremony of GA-ASI’s new RSO facility near Grand Forks, North Dakota, on 30 October 2026. (GA-ASI)

Warsight

2 November 2026

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on 30 October 2026 at its Flight Test & Training Center (FTTC) to announce the opening of a new Remote Split Operation (RSO) facility.

The company will use the new RSO facility to continue executing the contractor-owned, contractor-operated (COCO) lease of its MQ-9A uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) that support US Africa Command (AFRICOM). GA-ASI is the manufacturer of the MQ-9A and will use the new RSO facility, located near Grand Forks in North Dakota, to remotely fly operations in support of the US Department of War.

The RSO opening event included US Senator John Hoeven (R-ND) and GA-ASI CEO Linden Blue. Sen Hoeven’s office was instrumental in establishing the support centre in North Dakota.

GA-ASI’s RSO: out of Africa, into North Dakota

“General Atomics is moving pilots from Africa to Grand Forks to remotely fly their missions for AFRICOM. Doing so makes perfect sense, and that’s why we worked through the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee to make it happen,” Hoeven was quoted as saying in a company press release.

“This new facility is not only a real cost savings for AFRICOM, which will save more than USD 10 million per year as pilots operate from Grand Forks rather than overseas, but it also brings a broader intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance portfolio to our state. We appreciate GA-ASI CEO Linden Blue for his company’s continued investment in our state and for working with us to strengthen our national defence and intelligence gathering capabilities, which are vital to the success of our warfighters,” the senator added.

“We’re excited to establish this new facility in North Dakota,” said Blue. “Setting up our remote flight operations here in North Dakota will allow us to decrease the number of personnel required overseas, significantly reducing the cost of the COCO to the US government and, more importantly, significantly increasing the safety for our personnel. It will also bring approximately 50 well-paying jobs to the Grand Forks community.”