America’s military drone supremacy just got a shot in the arm—right from the heart of conservative, freedom-loving Oregon—leaving bureaucrats and global adversaries scrambling to keep up.
At a Glance
- Pendleton UAS Test Range cements itself as the premier U.S. military drone training and testing facility, breaking through red tape and government inertia.
- New modular training programs and strategic partnerships accelerate drone readiness for American forces, giving our military a true edge.
- Economic and technological benefits flow directly to local communities and American workers, not foreign competitors or D.C. insiders.
- Pendleton’s model could reshape national defense, supplying the blueprint to keep America secure and self-reliant for years to come.
Pendleton UAS Range: Where American Ingenuity Outpaces Bureaucratic Nonsense
The Pendleton UAS Test Range, tucked away in the real America of Northeast Oregon, has bulldozed through the same government bottlenecks and bureaucratic red tape that have held back innovation for decades. While the usual suspects in D.C. were busy debating, Pendleton quietly built a 14,000-square-mile airspace that’s become the envy of the defense world. This isn’t just another government boondoggle—it’s a working example of how local leadership and private industry can outpace federal inertia and deliver for our troops and our economy. The City of Pendleton, with Steve Chrisman at the helm, has transformed the range into a state-of-the-art hub, offering everything from hangars and test pads to a UAS-friendly control tower and a 160-acre industrial park. And unlike the usual government projects, this one actually works—supporting over 65,000 UAS operations without the waste, fraud, or “equity” consultants we’ve come to expect from the Beltway crowd.
Our staff toured the Pendleton UAS Range, 1 of the nation's leading testing/development centers for unmanned aerial systems. The Range houses the OR UAS Accelerator, 1 of our Centers for Innovation Excellence that offers mentorship & testing opportunities to empower OR startups. pic.twitter.com/Bjlw6VyvuV
— Business Oregon (@BusinessOregon) July 23, 2025
Pendleton’s success story comes down to a “no red tape” philosophy. While other test ranges choke on regulation, Pendleton’s flexibility means military units and contractors can move fast—training, testing, and deploying advanced drones with none of the bureaucratic drag. That’s how you get results, not by stacking up binders of diversity paperwork or running endless “stakeholder” meetings. Pendleton’s unique geography—low-traffic airspace, varied terrain, and real-world weather—lets our military train for every scenario, not just the ones that look good on a PowerPoint. It’s a throwback to common sense and American know-how, and it’s delivering real power to our armed forces.
Modular UAS Training: Real Readiness, Not Woke Checklists
Pendleton’s recent launch of modular, two-week UAS training programs—designed in partnership with DelMar Aerospace—gives our military something it’s been missing for far too long: rapid, effective, and scalable training that actually prepares pilots for the realities of modern warfare. Apprentice, Journeyman, and Master tracks cover everything from small UAS and first-person view flying to swarm operations, counter-UAS, and even advanced GPS-denied navigation. This isn’t theory—it’s hands-on, mission-ready skill-building. The Oregon Army National Guard provides support and lodging, keeping the entire pipeline American and accountable. The partnership with DelMar Aerospace isn’t just a business deal; it’s a model for how public and private sectors can work together for results, not headlines. Training is now faster, more flexible, and—here’s the kicker—cheaper, because Pendleton’s leadership believes taxpayer dollars should be spent on defense, not consultants or “climate impact” studies.
Pendleton’s embrace of rapid expansion means new hangars, test pads, and manufacturing spaces are coming online almost as quickly as they’re needed. This is how you build military dominance: by putting American workers and innovators to work, not by outsourcing or bowing to the latest globalist fad. The Oregon UAS Accelerator, meanwhile, offers real money and resources to startups—$75,000 in flight testing and $40,000 in non-dilutive grants—fueling the engine of American innovation and attracting top talent to an industry that actually matters. That’s a win for Pendleton, for Oregon, and for the country.
Local and National Impact: Security, Jobs, and American Values
Pendleton’s model is already rewriting the rules for military drone development. Military units get faster, more effective training; contractors slash development timelines and costs; and the local economy gets a direct shot in the arm, with jobs, investment, and infrastructure growth. This isn’t just about drones—it’s about showing the rest of the country (and the world) how real leadership can put American interests first. The City of Pendleton, the DoD, and their private partners are proving that it’s possible to deliver excellence without government micromanagement or the dead hand of federal bureaucracy. The ripple effects go beyond Pendleton: if this model spreads, it could force other test ranges to step up, driving competition and innovation across the UAS sector. America’s military dominance should never be taken for granted, and with adversaries abroad investing billions to catch up, Pendleton’s approach is exactly what’s needed to keep the country secure, proud, and independent. The range is now seeking national designation, and if D.C. has any sense left, they’ll recognize what’s happening here and get out of the way.
Meanwhile, Pendleton’s investment in workforce development and STEM education is creating opportunities for American families—not for illegal immigrants, not for foreign contractors, but for our own citizens who want to build something real. That’s the kind of common-sense policy that built this country and can restore it again.
