UND, Vigilant Aerospace Systems partner to advance UAS training, research

Collaboration will add on-board detect-and-avoid software with counter-UAS uses to UAS program’s tools

Editor’s note: In the UND LEADS Strategic Plan, the Discovery core value calls on UND to “facilitate and enhance connections, where new and existing partners ― including industry, government, and inter-institutional collaborations, among others ― can easily engage, and where internal efforts to foster partnerships can be supported and flourish.”

With that in mind, this story — which was originally published in UND Today on Jan. 14 — calls attention to just such a connection, one where UND and Vigilant Aerospace System, the University’s new partner, can “easily engage.” 

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The John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences has entered a one-year partnership with Vigilant Aerospace Systems to use the company’s drone safety software and airspace management system FlightHorizon. A memorandum of understanding was signed late last year to formalize the agreement.

As part of the agreement, Vigilant Aerospace will provide training for UND Aerospace students and faculty, with full integration of FlightHorizon into the program’s operations and research expected by summer. Further, the initiative aligns with UND Aerospace’s commitment to advancing UAS traffic management and counter-autonomy and UAS (C-UAS) measures, areas increasingly relevant in light of recent drone sightings near critical infrastructure in New Jersey.

FlightHorizon uses NASA-patented technology to provide detect-and-avoid alerts during beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations. By integrating multiple sensors, machine learning and data sources, the software improves real-time situational awareness, allowing operators to proactively identify nearby aircraft and avoid potential collisions through visual and auditory alerts.

Impressively, the software also uses machine learning to accurately identify whether the nearby object is a bird or another aircraft such as a drone.

This collaboration comes as the FAA prepares to release new rules for BVLOS drone operations. It also shows UND Aerospace’s commitment to working with industry leaders to safely operate and equip students with the skills to lead in the rapidly evolving UAS field, said Paul Snyder, director of UND’s UAS program.

According to Snyder, the technology complements UND Aerospace’s existing suite of C-UAS tools, including the 360-degree day/night cameras and radar systems made by the U.S.-based company DeTect Inc. The systems are already in use at Gorman Field.

“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 agreement represents a step forward in the program’s continued commitment to giving students access to cutting-edge technology and preparing them to be leaders in UAS fields, Snyder added.

“We’re working with innovative, collaborative companies that want to move the UAS industry forward quickly, but safely.” Snyder said. It remains essential to equip students and faculty with technology that provides a holistic understanding of UAS and Counter Autonomous operations, he added.

Further, the growing interest in counter-autonomy/UAS measures piqued by recent sightings of mysterious drones in New Jersey makes this partnership timely, Snyder explained.

“The ability for this software to accurately identify cooperative and uncooperative traffic is important when we’re thinking about national security, BVLOS and flight safety in the National Airspace System,” Snyder said. “Our students are getting a healthy amount of experience with not only BVLOS technology, but also technology for counter-UAS.”

The agreement also includes a joint effort to submit FlightHorizon to the FAA’s Near-Term Approval Process for Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management (UTM) services and pursue funding opportunities for C-UAS and UTM technologies.

“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 centers 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 and advance the industry overall.”

The agreement sets the stage for a mutually beneficial partnership, said Snyder, who added that he is optimistic about what UND and Vigilant Aerospace can accomplish together.

“Our hope is that we can grow together within this ever-changing field of UAS and autonomous technology,” he said. “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.”

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