NASA
April 18, 2016
Kraettli Epperson (left) and David McBride sign an agreement to commercialize aircraft tracking system for unmanned aircraft.
NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center has licensed to Vigilant Aerospace Systems→ a new sense-and-avoid system that may improve safety for aircraft, particularly unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Designed to meet requirements mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the NASA system is a combination of hardware and software that enhances aircraft command-and-control operations and communications. It offers improved traffic situational awareness, conflict/collision detection and correction, real-time weather monitoring, and navigation. Most importantly, it provides these crucial capabilities to UAVs, opening the door to their safe use in the National Airspace System (NAS). Vigilant Aerospace Systems plans to integrate the NASA technology into its FlightHorizon™ avionics platform, which can be used in UAVs and manned aircraft.
The Benefits of Technology Transfer
Safer Air Traffic Control: NASA’s technology enables aircraft to remain well clear of—and avoid collisions with—other airborne traffic.
Expanded Use of UAVs: Commercialization of NASA’s technology will enable UAVs to fly safely in the national airspace, expanding scientific, government, commercial, and civilian use of these aircraft.
New Jobs for Oklahoma: Vigilant Aerospace is hiring developers, engineering, and sales staff to help bring the NASA technology to market.
On the Record
“We are excited to license this important technology. We expect it to make significant contributions to the future of not only UAVs but indeed manned aircraft and automated flight.”
– Laura Fobel, Chief, Technology Transfer Office, NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center
“One of the major advantages of this system is that it uses existing FAA infrastructure to help keep drones away from other aircraft. It also gives nearby aircraft the ability to be aware of the drone and improves situational awareness for the drone operator.”
– Kraettli L. Epperson, CEO, Vigilant Aerospace Systems
“Assuring aircraft don’t run into each other is a huge element of the industry. The technology licensed by Vigilant, developed by NASA, helps solve that problem.”
– Robert Heard, managing director, Cimarron Capital Partners
About Vigilant Aerospace
Headquartered in Oklahoma City, OK, Vigilant Aerospace Systems, Inc., was founded in 2015 to license and commercialize NASA flight safety technologies. Vigilant Aerospace focuses on developing and marketing new products for situational awareness, collision avoidance, and autonomous flight for UAVs and manned aircraft
Technology Origins
NASA researchers created a superior command-and-control and communications system to improve safety for aircraft, particularly UAVs. Their award-winning innovation integrates ADS-B avionics (see below) with a unique collision-avoidance algorithm and sophisticated display options, including a three-dimensional view of collision threats and an operator display of real-time aircraft location-state.
The heart of the NASA system is an advanced sense-and-avoid algorithm specifically designed for the short-term trajectories typically associated with UAVs. When a collision risk is identified, the algorithm automatically begins finding the safest and most efficient solution for separation and then instructs the aircraft to follow the new course. If the collision threat changes flight path during this time, the algorithm automatically changes the avoidance trajectory, continually keeping the aircraft on a clear path. Once the risk has been avoided entirely, the algorithm instructs the aircraft to return to its previous course.
In addition to these collision-avoidance features, NASA’s system includes cutting-edge communications capabilities. Utilizing ADS-B avionics, the system can broadcast the aircraft’s specific location-state information in real time, complying with FAA requirements for ADS-B Out capabilities. Furthermore, the innovation’s unique capabilities enable the aircraft to receive information from other aircraft (i.e., ADS-B In), providing an unprecedented level of situational awareness.
The prototype system received extensive flight testing on NASA’s Ikhana UAV, which was performed in cooperation with the FAA. Four successful open-loop flight demonstrations validated the system’s enhanced situational display with multiple targets as well as its ability to transmit (Out) and receive (In) ADS-B data.
ADS-B—which stands for automatic dependent surveillance broadcast—can be thought of as 21st century radar. Rather than using radio waves, ADS-B uses GPS satellite signals and aircraft avionics to automatically determine and transmit its position, enabling it to be tracked by ground stations (for air traffic control) and other aircraft (for situational awareness).
The FAA has determined ADS-B to be critical for next-generation air traffic control. In fact, the FAA mandated that by 2020 all aircraft operating within the Class A* airspace be equipped with “ADS-B Out” capabilities. That is, every aircraft must have the ability to automatically transmit real-time information about its position, altitude, and velocity. (For more on ADS-B and the 2020 mandate, see this FAA fact sheet→.)
Therefore, starting in 2020, in order for UAVs to be granted access to the national airspace, they must demonstrate the ability to broadcast their specific location-state information (ADS-B Out). They also must have sense-and-avoid capabilities that are at least as safe as—or better than—those of manned aircraft.
Although ADS-B systems have been in development for manned aircraft, no such system existed for UAVs… until now. NASA’s system licensed by Vigilant Aerospace Systems integrates ADS-B avionics with sense-and-avoid algorithms and cutting-edge display options to provide a unique situational-awareness capability.
*The Class A airspace ranges from ~18,000 to ~60,000 feet.
The Transfer Process
The Technology Transfer Office (TTO) at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center led several activities to make the commercial marketplace aware of this technology. The TTO posted an online technology listing and successfully nominated the innovation for an Outstanding Technology Development Award from the Far West Region of the Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer (FLC).
It was at the FLC–Far West awards ceremony in August 2014 that venture capital firm Cimarron Capital Partners→ learned of the technology. Cimarron subsequently invited the NASA inventor to present his technology at the WBT Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Open Innovation Forum in Oklahoma, which included an audience of entrepreneurs and investors.
Recognizing the potential impact NASA’s technology could have on the aviation industry, Cimarron launched Vigilant Aerospace Systems to commercialize the innovation. The startup applied for a partially exclusive license, which was announced in the Federal Register on September 23, 2015. The license was signed→ on February 25, 2016.
Gearing up for Commercialization
Vigilant Aerospace Systems plans to use the NASA technology as part of its FlightHorizon product suite. The new avionics platform will provide synthetic cockpit views, air traffic alerts, detect-and-avoid commands, weather data, and other functions that improve flight safety and situational awareness for all kinds of aircraft.
Commercialization of NASA’s innovation is expected to pave the way for the next generation of flight automation and to help provide commercial UAVs with access to the national airspace. This is significant as scientific, government, commercial, and civilian organizations are finding an ever-increasing number of compelling uses for UAVs. These uses include traffic monitoring; forest fire management and search-and-rescue operations; ecological, environmental, and meteorological data collection; law enforcement; mapping and aerial photography; communications; consumer goods delivery; and many other potential applications.
For More Information
Technology Transfer Office
NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center
PO Box 273, M/S 1100
Edwards, CA 93523-0273
Phone: (661) 276-3368
E-mail: DFRC-TTO@mail.nasa.gov
FlightHorizon is a trademark of Vigilant Aerospace Systems
Expanded Use of UAVs: Commercialization of NASA’s technology will enable UAVs to fly safely in the national airspace, expanding scientific, government, commercial, and civilian use of these aircraft.
New Jobs for Oklahoma: Vigilant Aerospace is hiring developers, engineering, and sales staff to help bring the NASA technology to market.
On the Record
“We are excited to license this important technology. We expect it to make significant contributions to the future of not only UAVs but indeed manned aircraft and automated flight.”
– Laura Fobel, Chief, Technology Transfer Office, NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center
“One of the major advantages of this system is that it uses existing FAA infrastructure to help keep drones away from other aircraft. It also gives nearby aircraft the ability to be aware of the drone and improves situational awareness for the drone operator.”
– Kraettli L. Epperson, CEO, Vigilant Aerospace Systems
“Assuring aircraft don’t run into each other is a huge element of the industry. The technology licensed by Vigilant, developed by NASA, helps solve that problem.”
– Robert Heard, managing director, Cimarron Capital Partners
About Vigilant Aerospace
Headquartered in Oklahoma City, OK, Vigilant Aerospace Systems, Inc., was founded in 2015 to license and commercialize NASA flight safety technologies. Vigilant Aerospace focuses on developing and marketing new products for situational awareness, collision avoidance, and autonomous flight for UAVs and manned aircraft
Technology Origins
NASA researchers created a superior command-and-control and communications system to improve safety for aircraft, particularly UAVs. Their award-winning innovation integrates ADS-B avionics (see below) with a unique collision-avoidance algorithm and sophisticated display options, including a three-dimensional view of collision threats and an operator display of real-time aircraft location-state.
The heart of the NASA system is an advanced sense-and-avoid algorithm specifically designed for the short-term trajectories typically associated with UAVs. When a collision risk is identified, the algorithm automatically begins finding the safest and most efficient solution for separation and then instructs the aircraft to follow the new course. If the collision threat changes flight path during this time, the algorithm automatically changes the avoidance trajectory, continually keeping the aircraft on a clear path. Once the risk has been avoided entirely, the algorithm instructs the aircraft to return to its previous course.
In addition to these collision-avoidance features, NASA’s system includes cutting-edge communications capabilities. Utilizing ADS-B avionics, the system can broadcast the aircraft’s specific location-state information in real time, complying with FAA requirements for ADS-B Out capabilities. Furthermore, the innovation’s unique capabilities enable the aircraft to receive information from other aircraft (i.e., ADS-B In), providing an unprecedented level of situational awareness.
The prototype system received extensive flight testing on NASA’s Ikhana UAV, which was performed in cooperation with the FAA. Four successful open-loop flight demonstrations validated the system’s enhanced situational display with multiple targets as well as its ability to transmit (Out) and receive (In) ADS-B data.
Ikhana MQ-9 unmanned vehicle
What Is ADS-B and How Does It Relate to NASA’s Technology?
ADS-B—which stands for automatic dependent surveillance broadcast—can be thought of as 21st century radar. Rather than using radio waves, ADS-B uses GPS satellite signals and aircraft avionics to automatically determine and transmit its position, enabling it to be tracked by ground stations (for air traffic control) and other aircraft (for situational awareness).
The FAA has determined ADS-B to be critical for next-generation air traffic control. In fact, the FAA mandated that by 2020 all aircraft operating within the Class A* airspace be equipped with “ADS-B Out” capabilities. That is, every aircraft must have the ability to automatically transmit real-time information about its position, altitude, and velocity. (For more on ADS-B and the 2020 mandate, see this FAA fact sheet→.)
Therefore, starting in 2020, in order for UAVs to be granted access to the national airspace, they must demonstrate the ability to broadcast their specific location-state information (ADS-B Out). They also must have sense-and-avoid capabilities that are at least as safe as—or better than—those of manned aircraft.
Although ADS-B systems have been in development for manned aircraft, no such system existed for UAVs… until now. NASA’s system licensed by Vigilant Aerospace Systems integrates ADS-B avionics with sense-and-avoid algorithms and cutting-edge display options to provide a unique situational-awareness capability.
*The Class A airspace ranges from ~18,000 to ~60,000 feet.
The Transfer Process
The Technology Transfer Office (TTO) at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center led several activities to make the commercial marketplace aware of this technology. The TTO posted an online technology listing and successfully nominated the innovation for an Outstanding Technology Development Award from the Far West Region of the Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer (FLC).
It was at the FLC–Far West awards ceremony in August 2014 that venture capital firm Cimarron Capital Partners→ learned of the technology. Cimarron subsequently invited the NASA inventor to present his technology at the WBT Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Open Innovation Forum in Oklahoma, which included an audience of entrepreneurs and investors.
Recognizing the potential impact NASA’s technology could have on the aviation industry, Cimarron launched Vigilant Aerospace Systems to commercialize the innovation. The startup applied for a partially exclusive license, which was announced in the Federal Register on September 23, 2015. The license was signed→ on February 25, 2016.
Gearing up for Commercialization
Vigilant Aerospace Systems plans to use the NASA technology as part of its FlightHorizon product suite. The new avionics platform will provide synthetic cockpit views, air traffic alerts, detect-and-avoid commands, weather data, and other functions that improve flight safety and situational awareness for all kinds of aircraft.
Commercialization of NASA’s innovation is expected to pave the way for the next generation of flight automation and to help provide commercial UAVs with access to the national airspace. This is significant as scientific, government, commercial, and civilian organizations are finding an ever-increasing number of compelling uses for UAVs. These uses include traffic monitoring; forest fire management and search-and-rescue operations; ecological, environmental, and meteorological data collection; law enforcement; mapping and aerial photography; communications; consumer goods delivery; and many other potential applications.
For More Information
Technology Transfer Office
NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center
PO Box 273, M/S 1100
Edwards, CA 93523-0273
Phone: (661) 276-3368
E-mail: DFRC-TTO@mail.nasa.gov
FlightHorizon is a trademark of Vigilant Aerospace Systems
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