This move is expected to position Oklahoma as a key testing hub for drones and AAM operations, including air taxis.
Oklahoma City, OK (February 7, 2025) – The Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics (ODAA) has contracted Vigilant Aerospace to implement an advanced airspace management system, marking the state’s inaugural investment in infrastructure to bolster the advanced air mobility (AAM) industry.
This move is expected to position Oklahoma as a national testing ground for both civilian and military drones, as well as for AAM operations such as air taxis and autonomous cargo aircraft.
Vigilant Aerospace, based in Oklahoma City, has been selected to deploy the FlightHorizon system at the Oklahoma Air & Space Port at Clinton-Sherman Airport.
The project, in partnership with the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority, will integrate multiple mobile air traffic surveillance radars, offering remote monitoring and uncrewed traffic management functions at one of the US’ 14 Federal Aviation Authority (FAA)-licensed spaceports.
ODAA executive director Grayson Ardies said: “This investment in systems and infrastructure for advanced air mobility and autonomous aircraft is one of several initiatives that demonstrate the state of Oklahoma’s commitment to being a national leader on the cutting edge of aviation industry technology.”
The FlightHorizon system will enable the state to monitor airspace and track both cooperative and non-cooperative aircraft, replacing visual observers with electronic observers.
Vigilant Aerospace is the leading developer of multi-sensor detect-and-avoid and airspace management software for uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS or drones). The company’s product, FlightHorizon, is based on two NASA patents and uses data from multiple sources to display a real-time picture of the air traffic around a UAS and to provide automatic avoidance maneuvers to prevent collisions. The software is designed to meet industry technical standards, to provide automatic safety and to allow UAS to safely fly beyond the sight of the pilot. The software has won multiple industry awards and the company has had contracts and users at NASA, the FAA, the U.S. Department of Defense and with a variety of drone development programs. Visit our website at www.VigilantAerospace.com