The John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences (UND Aerospace) has partnered with Vigilant Aerospace Systems to integrate the company’s FlightHorizon airspace management software into its UAS operations and research. The one-year agreement, formalised through a memorandum of understanding signed late last year, will include training for students and faculty, with full integration expected by summer.
FlightHorizon, based on NASA-patented technology, provides detect-and-avoid alerts during beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations. The system combines multiple sensors, machine learning and data inputs to deliver real-time situational awareness, enabling operators to detect nearby aircraft and avoid collisions through visual and auditory alerts.
Paul Snyder, director of UND’s UAS program, noted that the software complements existing hardware:
“The software that Vigilant Aerospace provides can easily integrate with the hardware that we’re using and will create a common operating picture that enables us to fuse hardware and data from DeTect radars and other sensors into one screen,” Snyder said.
The collaboration also involves joint efforts to submit FlightHorizon for the Federal Aviation Administration’s Near-Term Approval Process for UAS traffic management (UTM) services and pursue funding opportunities for UTM and counter-UAS technologies. These steps come as the FAA prepares to release updated rules for BVLOS operations.
“UND Aerospace educates some of the nation’s most competitive aviation and UAS students and is one of the most accomplished and best-equipped research centres for autonomous aviation in the country,” said Kraettli L. Epperson, CEO of Vigilant Aerospace. “We are excited to be entering into this new collaboration to support their operational and educational missions.”
Snyder described the agreement as an opportunity for mutual progress:
“Our hope is that we can grow together within this ever-changing field of UAS and autonomous technology. Vigilant Aerospace can continue to expand their product’s capability, and we can continue to be on the cutting edge of education, training and research,” he said.
This partnership comes amid heightened attention to airspace safety and drone monitoring, particularly following recent incidents with unexplained drones in New Jersey.
Post image credit: UND Aerospace
