NE North Dakota News

Project Rural Reach has completed its first long-range drone delivery of medical supplies in North Dakota, marking a step forward for rural health care logistics. The flight took place on July 24, transporting medical items from Williston to Watford City over a distance of 80 miles in just over 35 minutes.

AirMed&Rescue reported that the mission demonstrated the practical potential of Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone deliveries in rural settings. Unlike earlier trials conducted in urban areas with controlled airspace, this operation was carried out in dynamic and uncontrolled airspace shared with low-flying aircraft.

Jeff Barta, project manager at the University of North Dakota’s Center for Innovation, highlighted the significance of the reduced delivery time: “Instead of a delivery taking 60 to 90 minutes from start to finish, UAS technology can complete emergency medication deliveries in 35 minutes,” he said. “Those saved minutes could mean the difference between life and death, especially in underserved rural areas.”

The initiative is led by UND’s Center for Innovation with partners including the Northern Plains UAS Test Site, Vantis, iSight Drone Services, and McKenzie Health. Funding comes from the U.S. Economic Development Administration through its ARPA Economic Adjustment Assistance Program.

This test flight also served as an evaluation for North Dakota’s Vantis network—the nation’s first statewide system designed specifically for BVLOS drone operations—demonstrating how such networks can support health care supply chains across remote regions.

Peter Edis, CEO of McKenzie Health, said: “The use of drones has the potential to enhance the delivery of health care by rapidly transporting crucial lab samples, medications and supplies to and from remote clinics and locations. This technology can reduce delays caused by geographic isolation, harsh weather or staffing shortages. By improving logistics, drones can help ensure timely care, continuity of services and better patient outcomes — especially when time is of the essence.”

The Supervolo drone used for this trial was operated by iSight Drone Services based in Grand Forks.

Erin Roesler from Northern Plains UAS Test Site commented on operating outside cooperative-only airspace: “Rural communities don’t have the luxury of cooperative-only airspace,” she said. “What makes this operation so impactful is that it proves BVLOS can be done safely, even in complex, real-world rural environments, and that it can bring real value to North Dakota communities.”

Additional flights are planned using Censys Technologies’ drones to further study how unmanned systems might work alongside emergency responders during disasters or other urgent situations.