Barrett Helps Secure DoD Drone Testing Site in Michigan as Part of Bipartisan Delegation Effort
Camp Grayling, Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center Designated as a National Drone Test Site
Washington, D.C. — Congressman Tom Barrett today joined his colleagues in the Michigan Congressional Delegation to announce their successful effort to secure Michigan’s National All-Domain Warfighting Center (NADWC) as a Department of Defense-designated national drone testing site.
The NADWC, which encompasses Michigan and includes Camp Grayling and the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, currently hosts drone testing, competitions, and military training, including during the annual Exercise Northern Strike. The Army and National Guard Bureau have selected the NADWC as a designated national range for deep uncrewed aerial systems training, a move that will bring additional drone testing and manufacturing to Michigan.
“Michigan’s terrain, waters, airspace, and industry make our state a national leader in training our military and producing critical technology for our national security,” said Barrett. “I’m proud that Michigan’s National All-Domain Warfighting Center, where I spent countless hours training in the Army, will be a national drone test site thanks to our bipartisan effort. This designation will deploy additional military missions and investments to Michigan, boosting our economy while ensuring our military has the technology it needs for reconnaissance, search and rescue, and combat.”
Background information:
On July 29, 2025, Barrett sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth requesting the drone testing site designation, along with U.S. Senators Elissa Slotkin and Gary Peters and U.S. Representatives Jack Bergman, John Moolenaar, Hillary Scholten, Debbie Dingell, Kristen McDonald Rivet, John James, Haley Stevens, and Shri Thanedar.
The 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. The 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, and swarm testing.
Click here to read the letter.
Click here to read The Detroit News’ exclusive coverage of the announcement.