New Test Range Designation For Camp Grayling Could Turn Traverse City Into A Drone Tech Epicenter
By Craig Manning | Aug. 24, 2026
An announcement earlier this month by the United States Army could put northern Michigan on the map in a brand-new way.
In an effort “to accelerate research, development, and rapid experimentation for emerging defense technologies like drones,” the Army is opening up five test sites for private companies to test drones or counter-drone technologies. Camp Grayling, located just 50 miles from Traverse City, is one of those sites. According to Traverse Connect President and CEO Warren Call, that designation alone could make northern Michigan one of the premier places in the country to develop, test, manufacture, and commercialize new drone tech.
The goal of the test ranges, per a press release from …
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