Innovative Partnership Enhances Drone Situational Awareness

Kongsberg Geospatial, known for its cutting-edge IRIS Terminal, has partnered with Dronetag, a leader in Drone Identification technology.

Advancements in Situational Awareness for UAS

The IRIS Terminal, now in its second generation, has transitioned from a defense-centric tool to a comprehensive enterprise solution designed for visualizing airspace traffic in beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations for unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and counter UAS applications.

This collaboration between Dronetag and Kongsberg Geospatial empowers operators to effortlessly visualize their aircraft, including both cooperative UAS and surface assets, on a unified operational display provided by IRIS Terminal.

Streamlined Aircraft Visualization

With the integration of Dronetag Mini devices, operators can swiftly tag their drones, allowing for real-time visualization of their location, altitude, and speed on IRIS Terminal interfaces, irrespective of the UAV’s make or model.

This integration not only supports Network Remote ID but also Broadcast Remote ID, facilitating extensive airspace visualization that utilizes public LTE networks, enhancing operational efficiency.

Comprehensive Airspace Monitoring

IRIS Terminal’s versatile viewing configurations, combined with its ability to layer additional sensors, enable drone flight operators to monitor all Dronetag Mini-equipped drones effectively. Furthermore, operators can incorporate data from other sensors, such as ADSB or RADAR, to achieve a holistic view of both manned and unmanned airspace.

The system also facilitates the rapid identification of non-cooperative aircraft within the designated operational airspace, significantly improving situational awareness.

Dronetag’s Industry-Leading Solutions

Dronetag is recognized for its top-tier Drone Identification solutions, which offer exceptional battery longevity and efficient size, weight, and power (SWaP) characteristics. Their products are designed for retrofitting existing drones and integrating seamlessly into new models, ensuring compliance with regulations and enhancing Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) capabilities.

in addition to broadcasting capabilities, Dronetag provides solutions for receiving and visualizing remote ID data. The company has been acknowledged as the first to secure the FAA’s Declaration of Compliance for Remote ID modules and is endorsed by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Dronetag is also actively involved in NATO’s DIANA accelerator program, focusing on innovative dual-use technologies.

Leadership Insights on the Collaboration

lukas Brchl, CEO of Dronetag, stated, “We believe that Drone Identification is crucial for enhancing safety and control for pilots, emphasizing that it transcends mere regulatory compliance.

“Our partnership with Kongsberg Geospatial in this groundbreaking initiative underscores the importance of making drones digitally visible,facilitating rapid deployment and driving innovation within the industry.”

“Safety in drone operations is integral to Dronetag’s mission,reflecting our shared vision with Kongsberg Geospatial and our dedicated five-year journey in developing this technology.”

Thomas Jimenez, market Director for UAS at Kongsberg Geospatial, remarked, “The integration of Dronetag Mini into our versatile IRIS Terminal is thrilling, as it enables rapid deployment with comprehensive airspace visibility.

“Previously, coordinating multiple agencies with different UAS models during emergencies was challenging. Now, an air-boss can tag, associate, and deploy UAVs within minutes, achieving full airspace visibility in under 30 minutes of arriving on-site. This simplifies the process of distinguishing between friendly and hostile aircraft, and also integrating with manned aircraft in the National Airspace System (NAS).”

Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS will showcase its tactical solutions at Eurosatory 2024, Stand #G95, in Hall 6 and Ext Pe6b-B 62 outside.