LANSING — Michigan has been selected as a national training site for advanced military drone operations, reinforcing the state’s growing role in uncrewed aerial systems and defense readiness.
State Rep. William Bruck, who represents Monroe and Lenawee Counties, announced that the U.S. Army and National Guard Bureau have designated Michigan’s National All-Domain Warfighting Center as a key facility for drone testing and training.
The selection follows a bipartisan push from Michigan lawmakers after a federal directive calling for expanded domestic drone development and training capacity.
The center offers nearly 148,000 acres of year-round training terrain, access to restricted military airspace over Lake Huron, and infrastructure designed for long-range and autonomous drone operations. Officials say the site allows integrated training across land, air, maritime, cyber, and space domains at lower cost than comparable facilities.
The announcement comes as Bruck’s S.H.I.E.L.D. Michigan package advances in Lansing. That proposal focuses on drone safety, critical infrastructure protection, and enforcement standards as drone use expands statewide.
Supporters say the federal designation and state legislation together position Michigan as a leader in both drone innovation and oversight.