November 13, 2023 – As part of a legislative study session on the Innovation Economy, focusing on advanced air mobility (AAM), Kraettli Epperson, CEO of Vigilant Aerospace, presented the opportunities AAM brings to Oklahoma, particularly in uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and drone technologies.
The session was held by Oklahoma State Representative Brian Hill and included representatives from Tulsa Innovation Labs, OCAST, and the Brookings Institute. Thank you, Tulsa Innovation Lab, for inviting us to participate and present in this important discussion, and to Rep Hill for taking such a keen interest in this dynamic aspect of regional growth and opportunity.
Kraettli highlights Vigilant Aerospace’s work in collision avoidance systems for drones and air taxis, emphasizing the economic potential of AAM, including projections of a multi-billion dollar industry creating thousands of jobs by 2035.
Key points include:
1. Oklahoma’s Advantage: Epperson emphasized Oklahoma’s strong aviation history, open airspace, and existing industries like energy and logistics, which are poised to benefit from AAM. He points to substantial federal investments aimed at supporting UAS and AAM development, which can help attract talent, startups, and capital to the state.
2. Projects & Partnerships: Several significant projects in Oklahoma are helping to build the AAM ecosystem, such as the Skyway Range flight corridor, collaborations with Oklahoma State University (OSU), Tulsa Innovation Labs, and various tribal nations. These initiatives are laying the groundwork for a future where drones and air taxis play a key role in transport and logistics.
3. Challenges & Opportunities: Epperson acknowledged Oklahoma’s smaller venture capital market and technology sector compared to other states but notes that this is being addressed. He also outlines the competition from other states investing heavily in this space, making the timing of Oklahoma’s efforts critical to ensure it remains competitive.
4. Legislative Considerations: A legislative proposal from Arkansas to restrict foreign-manufactured uncrewed aircraft was discussed, with Epperson agreeing to review potential Oklahoma legislation to ensure it doesn’t negatively impact local innovation.
In summary, the session focused on the transformative potential of AAM for Oklahoma, touching on its economic impact, current developments, and the importance of timely, strategic investments to establish the state as a leader in the drone and AAM sectors.
Watch the full video of Kraettli’s presentation.
Learn more about our projects in Oklahoma at Skyway36 and with OCAST.
Vigilant Aerospace is the leading developer of 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