LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) — Michigan is no longer just building the tools of modern warfare. Now, it’s testing how they fly.

The U.S. Department of War designated Michigan’s National All-Domain Warfighting Center (NADWC) as an official drone testing range, expanding the state’s role in training and evaluating unmanned aircraft for the Army and National Guard.

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The designation gives federal backing to drone operations across more than 150,000 acres of northern Michigan terrain, anchored by Camp Grayling Maneuver Training Center and the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center—the largest combined military training footprint east of the Mississippi.

Michigan lawmakers pushed for the designation last year, sending a bipartisan request to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth citing the region’s expansive airspace, all-weather conditions, and ability to support large-scale operations.

“Drones play an integral role in modern-day warfare, and the National All-Domain Warfighting Center in Northern Michigan is an ideal training ground to test these technologies and help ensure we maintain our air superiority around the world,” Sen. Gary Peters said in a statement.