Grand Forks, North Dakota Meadowlark Aircraft Company, a newly established manufacturer of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), has officially launched its operations in Grand Forks. The company was founded by Chief Executive Officer Mike Furmanski and Chief Financial Officer Ned Tabat, who met during the 2022 UAS Summit held in Grand Forks. Meadowlark Aircraft Company aims to specialize in “mission-specific” UAS design and manufacturing, employing advanced systems engineering tools, design for manufacturing principles, and physical co-location in North Dakota.
The formation of Meadowlark Aircraft Company emerged from the serendipitous meeting of like-minded individuals and complementary businesses. Mike Furmanski, along with his wife Sara-Anne, owners of Zephyr Systems, traveled from Michigan to participate in the 2022 UAS Summit, where they showcased their aircraft and networked. Ned Tabat had already relocated two of his businesses to Grand Forks, operating out of the UND Center for Innovation. Recognizing the potential of Grand Forks as a hub for UAS technology, the connection between Furmanski and Tabat culminated in the establishment of Meadowlark Aircraft Company.
Ned Tabat, drawing on his experience in avionics development, saw a gap in the UAS sector – the lack of customized aircraft. Many operating companies require UAS that cater to specific performance requirements, but such options are often unavailable in the market. Meadowlark Aircraft Company aims to bridge this gap by building a flexible manufacturing system capable of tailoring aircraft to the unique needs and missions of its customers.
The decision to base Meadowlark Aircraft Company in Grand Forks was influenced by the thriving UAS ecosystem! Grand Forks is leading the way as a UAS hub in the United States, with a strong presence of academia, the Department of Defense, and industry growth. The company’s headquarters will be situated in the city-owned HIVE building downtown. Furthermore, Meadowlark Aircraft Company actively encourages other North Dakota UAS subsystem and component manufacturers to participate in its efforts, fostering collaboration within the state’s UAS community.
Keith Lund, CEO of the Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corporation, expressed pride in the UAS summit’s role in attracting Meadowlark Aircraft Company to Grand Forks. The establishment of Meadowlark highlights the success of the annual UAS summit in drawing developers and expanding the UAS ecosystem in the region. Bill Adams, UAS development officer at the EDC, emphasized the warm reception from the region’s UAS sector, with various professionals from academia and the private sector expressing interest in meeting with Meadowlark Aircraft Company.
Meadowlark Aircraft Company represents a significant addition to the UAS industry in Grand Forks, with its focus on customized UAS manufacturing. By leveraging advanced engineering tools, design expertise, and collaboration with the local UAS community, Meadowlark aims to revolutionize the UAS sector by delivering tailor-made solutions for its customers.
Visit Meadowlark Aircraft Company’s website at: https://meadowlarkaircraft.com/