OKLAHOMA CITY (OBV) – An Oklahoma City-based developer of detect-and-avoid and airspace management software for uncrewed aircraft systems (drones) has been contracted to develop future drone port projects throughout the United States.
DronePort Network announced that the Oklahoma company, Vigilant Aerospace Systems, will provide airspace management (ASM), detect-and-avoid (DAA) and unmanned traffic management (UTM) for drone port projects. Vigilant Aerospace’s FlightHorizon provides the sophisticated situational awareness needed for safe, scalable autonomous flight, according to Vigilant Aerospace representatives.
A system integration and infrastructure development company, DronePort helps communities transition to the evolving aviation economy by creating “drone ports,” which Vigilant representatives describe as autonomous aviation ecosystems primed for the development, testing and deployment of drones and advanced air mobility (AAM) aircraft.
“The growth around autonomous flight is enormous, and regions and communities can reap significant benefits in commercial activity, new jobs and new service opportunities,” said Craig Mahaney, CEO, DronePort Network. “We’re at a pivotal time for building the critical infrastructure needed to support this, and Vigilant Aerospace’s FlightHorizon provides an important solution for ensuring safe skies for autonomous flight. We’re collectively pioneering game-changing aviation environments with far-reaching impact.”
By working with regional centers, DronePort leverages airfields and hangers to create drone port facilities for advanced autonomous flight testing and new air services across both the private and public sector.
DronePort Network integrates drones and related services into the economy and national airspace, taking into account the broad range of considerations around safe, large-scale autonomous flight. DronePort meets strict FAA requirements and selects appropriate technology partners to accomplish this, Vigilant representatives said.
Vigilant’s FlightHorizon is a dual-use technology based on two NASA patents. It uses a combination of sensors and data sources to create a 2D or 3D view of all aircraft in the selected airspace to serve as an airspace safety picture for pilots, airspace managers and command centers. Those views are required to meet FAA regulatory requirements for advanced UAS flights.
“There is immense opportunity for public-private partnerships throughout the US to build infrastructure to accommodate the next generation of aviation,” said Kraettli Epperson, CEO of Vigilant Aerospace. “DronePort Network is a perfect example of this innovative approach, bringing together the expertise necessary to make commercial autonomous flight a reality. We’re thrilled to launch this strategic partnership and are excited to be a part of the future development of drone ports in the US.”
Vigilant has had contracts with NASA, the FAA, the U.S. Department of Defense and a range of drone development programs.
FlightHorizon won NASA’s Commercial Invention of the Year 2021 award.
Click here to learn more about Vigilant.
