Supporting Long-Range Drones And Autonomous Flight

The Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics announced the execution of a contract with Vigilant Aerospace for the state’s first investment in systems for managing airspace along with an automatic detect-and-avoid solution. These are intended to support Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) as well as long-range drone flights.

Vigilant Aerospace will deploy the system for the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority (OSIDA) with the vision of developing the state as a national proving ground for military and civilian drones to facilitate AAM operations including eVTOL air taxis and autonomous cargo aircraft.

The multi-year agreement stipulates Vigilant to deploy the first FlightHorizon system at the Oklahoma Air & Space Port at Clinton-Sherman Airport (KCSM) in Burns Flat in southwestern Oklahoma. The deployment will be done in partnership with OSIDA, which operates the spaceport.

The core of the project includes integrating a scalable cloud-based software with multiple mobile air traffic surveillance radar systems manufactured by partner DeTect, Inc. for remote monitoring and uncrewed traffic management functions.

FlightHorizon utilizes data from the mobile radars along with aircraft transponders, drone telemetry, remote ID drone beacons, and online FAA data to construct a comprehensive picture of the airspace for remote pilots and airspace managers.

Grayson Ardies, Executive Director of ODAA said, “This investment in systems and infrastructure for advanced air mobility and autonomous aircraft is one of several initiatives that demonstrate the state of Oklahoma’s commitment to being a national leader on the cutting edge of aviation industry technology.

“The traditional aerospace and defense industry plays a critical role in the State’s economy, and we are grateful for the opportunity to bring this new segment of the industry together with Oklahoma’s pioneering spirit to ensure our state stays at the forefront of the national conversation to develop autonomous aviation systems.”

FMI:  oklahoma.gov/