Revolutionizing UAS Operations: A New Partnership for Enhanced Airspace Management

uAvionix has joined forces with Aloft Technologies, a leader in UAS fleet and airspace management solutions, to incorporate the FlightLine ADS-B surveillance network and the Casia G ground-based optical detect-and-avoid (DAA) system into aloft’s Air Boss platform, aimed at enterprise UAS Traffic Management (UTM).

Setting New Standards for Situational Awareness

This collaboration establishes a new standard for real-time situational awareness by merging cooperative (ADS-B) and non-cooperative (DAA) aircraft detection into a unified operational view within UTM. This integration equips public safety teams, commercial UAS operators, and regulatory bodies with the necessary tools to manage beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations safely, especially in complex airspace scenarios like Drone as a First Responder (DFR) initiatives.

Shared Vision for Safer UAS Operations

At the heart of this partnership lies a mutual goal to enhance the safety, intelligence, and scalability of UAS operations. With uAvionix’s low-altitude, multi-redundant FlightLine ADS-B network, users can access real-time tracking of cooperative aircraft throughout the United States. Simultaneously occurring, the Casia G system provides ground-based optical sensing to detect non-cooperative aircraft, such as general aviation planes or other UAS that do not utilize ADS-B Out for electronic visibility.

Layered Surveillance for Effective Decision-Making

This comprehensive surveillance capability is now integrated into aloft’s Air Boss, a robust UTM platform that is trusted by enterprise operators and the FAA for managing airspace compliance and flight approvals.

Advantages of the New Integration

The integration of these technologies offers several key benefits for incorporating UAS into the national airspace:

• Improved Airspace Safety: A consolidated view of both cooperative and non-cooperative aircraft enhances risk management and decision-making for operators.
• Increased Operational Efficiency: Enhanced situational awareness through a single interface simplifies the management of flights in congested or sensitive airspace.
• Regulatory Compliance: The combined detection capabilities align with evolving FAA and international guidelines for BVLOS and DAA equipment.

Real-World Applications and future Readiness

Initial implementations of FlightLine, Casia G, and Air Boss are already taking place in high-density UAS operation areas, demonstrating thier effectiveness in real-world conditions and showcasing their readiness for broader deployment across the nation.

Jon Hegranes, Founder & CEO of Aloft, stated: “Collaborating with uAvionix to integrate their advanced ADS-B and non-cooperative detection technologies substantially enhances our already strong DAA capabilities within Aloft’s UTM and Air Boss platforms. This integration boosts airspace safety and operational efficiency, allowing our shared customers and airspace stakeholders to achieve unprecedented levels of deconfliction, compliance, and confidence in advanced drone operations.”

Cyriel Kronenburg, VP of UAS and Aviation Networks at uAvionix, remarked: “Teaming up with Aloft’s leading Air Boss platform allows us to deliver our top-tier sensor capabilities directly into the workflows of UAS operators who rely on precise, dependable, and timely airspace data. This partnership marks a meaningful advancement in drone safety and operational effectiveness.”