Michigan to Play Critical Role in the Advancement of U.S. Military Drone Capabilities
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) and U.S. Representative Jack Bergman (R-MI-01) announced today that a bipartisan, delegation-wide effort was successful in securing Michigan’s National All-Domain Warfighting Center (NADWC) as a Department of Defense-designated national range for an uncrewed aerial systems testing.
This designation means that the Army and National Guard Bureau have selected NADWC as its designated national range for deep uncrewed aerial systems training, further establishing Michigan as America’s defense innovation hub. NADWC has a unique combination of capabilities, permissive drone testing policies, and proximity to tech innovation industry leaders in Michigan that will supercharge drone testing for our military and maximize drone training opportunities for our warfighters. It is the country’s largest joint training range east of the Mississippi River and hosts the annual Northern Strike Exercise. NADWC’s all-domain capability, large size, expansive special use airspace, and all-weather training environment offers warfighters the ability to test drones at scale under a wide range of battlefield conditions year-round, including for live fire, combined arms, swarm testing.
Slotkin continues to champion Michigan as a center of defense manufacturing and innovation, as laid out by her Future of Defense Manufacturing Act. NADWC’s proximity to large-scale manufacturing centers, private sector drone innovators, venture financing, and national transportation hubs make it a centrally located, all-in-one destination to anchor DoD’s drone ecosystem.
“When it comes to the next chapter of American defense innovation, I’m betting on Michigan,” said Senator Slotkin. “From the assembly line to advanced manufacturing, our state has always stepped up. Today, as drones reshape our national security, Michigan’s selection as a national drone testing site further solidifies our state as the center of this transformation. Michigan is the proof that cutting-edge defense technology can be designed, tested, and built with American supply chains, right here at home.”
“Drones play an integral role in modern-day warfare, and the National All-Domain Warfighting Center in Northern Michigan is an ideal training ground to test these technologies and help ensure we maintain our air superiority around the world,” said Senator Peters, a member of the Armed Services Committee. “I was proud to work alongside our Michigan delegation to push key Department of Defense officials and secure this new designation, which will only further cement Michigan as a key asset of our national defense strategy into the future.”
“Unmanned aerial systems are now a critical component of modern warfighting,” said Representative Bergman. “I’m proud that Northern Michigan’s defense assets will play a key role in ensuring our Service Members can test and refine the most advanced unmanned aerial technologies. The unique geography and unparalleled capabilities of the National All Domain Warfighting Center are truly world-class, and it is encouraging to see the Department of War fully recognize the potential of NADWC and the surrounding region. I look forward to continuing our partnership to ensure our warfighters have access to the best systems and training anywhere in the world.”
In addition to Slotkin, Peters and Bergman, Reps. Tom Barrett (R-MI-07), Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06), John James (R-MI-10), Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-MI-08), John Moolenaar (R-MI-04), Hillary Scholten (D-MI-03), Haley Stevens (D-MI-11), and Shri Thanedar (D-MI-13) signed a bipartisan, bicameral delegation letter sent to the Department of Defense in July 2025.Members of the bipartisan Michigan Congressional Delegation supported this effort in a joint letter to the Secretary of Defense in July of 2025. Read that letter here.
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