Background

Vigilant Aerospace Systems, Inc. is the leading developer of multi-sensor detect-and-avoid and airspace management software for uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS or drones). Customers include NASA, the FAA, the U.S. Department of Defense and a variety of drone development programs.

The company’s purpose is both licensing and commercialization of NASA flight safety technologies and also developing and marketing new situational awareness, collision avoidance and autonomous flight products for both manned and unmanned aircraft.

The company builds upon the experience of its founders, who have backgrounds in technology commercialization, mission-critical software development, online systems management, and geospatial information systems. Our management, development and governance team is made up of experienced executives, engineers and investors who have over two decades of experience in building and growing companies and deploying new technologies as investors, operators, advisors and board members.

Vigilant Aerospace is a private company, headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and founded in 2015.

Download our 1-Page About Us Summary: Vigilant Aerospace Systems – Company Overview – Products – Partnership – Beta Test – Press [PDF]

The Vigilant Aerospace Team

Kraettli L. Epperson

CEO, Vigilant Aerospace Systems

Kraettli is CEO of Vigilant Aerospace, the leading developer of multi-sensor detect-and-avoid and airspace management software for uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS or drones). He oversees Vigilant Aerospace's contracts with NASA, the FAA and the US Air Force and has participated in over 45 uncrewed aircraft flight tests. He is a frequent speaker on uncrewed aircraft technology including detect-and-avoid (DAA) and autonomous systems and is a member of the FAA's BVLOS Aviation Rulemaking Committee and the ASTM F38 Committee on technical standards. He has co-authored multiple AIAA papers with NASA and Oklahoma State University on autonomy and collision avoidance systems and is the co-inventor of four technology patents.

Zach Peterson

Director of Business Development

Zach Peterson has experience in government, international, B2B, B2C and channel marketing and sales. His work history includes competitive strategy, minimum viable product (MVP) R&D, development of print and digital advertising, distributor and end-user market research, go-to-market strategy, design of tradeshow booths and sales fixtures, distribution logistics, and inside / outside sales and marketing team management. Zach received his M.B.A. from the University of Mary in 2008, chairs the Editorial Committee for the Fly-ND Aviation Quarterly, is the VP for the Northern Tier Chapter of the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), Secretary for the Great Plains Chapter of the Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) and Treasurer for the North Dakota UAS Council (NDUASC).

Jesse Smith

Senior Software Developer

Jesse is Vigilant’s Senior Software Developer and has more than 20 years of experience in software development. He has worked on large projects developing web service applications for the Department of Defense, programming financial software for the Bank of North Dakota and the ND State Treasury Department, as well as on projects for Fortune 500 companies like Sony EMG and Johnson & Johnson. This software developer has a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and a Minor in Statistics from Minot State University and continues to expand his knowledge base through online courses and certifications. Jesse has held Top Secret security clearance through work with a previous employer.

Craig Alleman

Senior Software Developer

Craig is a Senior Software Developer with over 30 years of experience developing applications for finance, healthcare, telecommunications, and manufacturing. Specializing in delivering high-quality software solutions, Craig focuses on developing scalable applications, leading teams, and implementing best practices in software development. His adaptability to new technologies and methodologies has kept him at the forefront of the industry. Currently, Craig is focused on integrating new radio receivers, radars and other devices into Vigilant Aerospace’s detect-and-avoid software to add new features and capabilities to the system. His innovative work aims to enhance the safety and reliability of these systems, improving real-time detection and avoidance of airborne hazards, and contributing to UAS flight safety.

DeeAnn Butler

Business Manager

DeeAnn is a Business Manager and accomplished professional with more than 25 years of experience managing financials, budgets, business records, invoicing, accounts payable, contract and vendor management and office organization for multiple businesses. She currently manages finances, accounts, contracts, vendor relationships and other matters for Vigilant Aerospace. She has previously worked as a bookkeeper and reporting manager for multiple commercial and non-profit companies in logistics, healthcare and human services. She has also worked as a manuscript and presentation editor, providing translations between German and English. She holds a BA from Oral Roberts University and a Certificate in German from the Institute for Language in Hannover, Germany.

Kendyn

Director of Operations at Vigilant Aerospace Systems

Kendyn is a retired US Army Military Police Captain with extensive leadership experience. He holds a BA in Mass Communication from the University of Central Oklahoma, and certifications in Full Stack Development and Project Management. During his decade-long military career, Kendyn held roles such as Police Team Supervisor and Security Operations Manager, leading logistics operations, risk assessments, and team management. His technical expertise includes web development, software development management and agile software development methods. At Vigilant Aerospace Systems, Kendyn leverages his military and technical background to bridge technical solutions and client expectations, fostering collaborative teams and ensuring effective project execution. His leadership and technical skills drive organizational success.

Founding Seed Investors

The company is backed with seed funding from Cimarron Capital Partners (together with its affiliates “CCP”). It’s Managing Directors serve as the initial board of directors for the company.

CCP is a venture capital and asset management firm based in the central US and with offices in Oklahoma City and Little Rock. Cimarron Capital has supported over 200 technology companies through its investments in venture capital funds across the U.S. Also, through its Development Capital Networks (DCN) affiliate, Cimarron has assisted over 500 SBIR grantees of the National Science Foundation on the development of technology commercialization plans, through its World’s Best Technologies (WBT) affiliate, Cimarron has helped over 800 technologists and startup entrepreneurs connect with seed-stage investors and licensees. As angel investors, Cimarron principals have invested in companies engaged in water purification, subsurface fluid monitoring, drug delivery and medical equipment design.

Why Oklahoma?

• Oklahoma is a national leader for unmanned aerial systems research and testing.
• Oklahoma has a low cost of operations, a high quality of life and an educated, loyal aviation workforce.
• Oklahoma is home to the US Small Business Administration’s new UAS Cluster Initiative.
• Oklahoma is home to 500 aviation-related companies and the industry contributes over $12Bn in annual revenues to the state economy.
• Aviation is the second most important manufacturing industry in Oklahoma, coming second only to oil and gas equipment manufacturing.
• Aviation provides 143,000 good paying jobs in the state. One of every 11 workers in Oklahoma are in or around the aviation industry.
• Oklahoma was the Department of Homeland Security’s selected site for its small UAS Robotic Aircraft for Public Safety (RAPS) program that supports first responders.
• Oklahoma State University in Stillwater has the only UAS master’s and Ph.D. programs in the nation.
• University of Oklahoma researchers are using UAS platforms for weather and radar-related research, and, along with OSU, are collaborating with the National Severe Storms Laboratory to use UAS to characterize severe storms.