FlightHorizon PILOT-M

Onboard Detect-and-Avoid for Military Aircraft

FlightHorizon PILOT-M is an onboard “detect-and-avoid” (DAA) system for military uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS).

The system shows cooperative and non-cooperative sensor inputs on a unified track picture, detects conflicts and generates resolution advisories. It connects directly to onboard sensors and outputs a correlated Common Operating Picture (COP) for the pilot. FlightHorizon PILOT-M uses ownship telemetry, ADS-B in, and onboard radar as data inputs, with connectivity over Ethernet and Wi-Fi, ensuring millisecond latency for the onboard system.

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Aircraft and drone positions on one live map

Get a near real-time 3D air picture that tracks surrounding traffic and visualizes relative position and traffic movement.

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Detect and Identify Conflicts

Use Remote ID and ADS-B In to identify cooperative aircraft.

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Generate Resolution Advisories

Get live information on airspeed, altitude, heading, and automatic resolution advisories.

Product Tour

"Safety-As-A-Service"

Industry leading experience in design, development, installation, and validation of DAA systems.
Applies across multiple aircraft types and operational profiles.
Reduces integration complexity, delivery risk, and total project cost.

Platform Agnostic

Uses a highly compact form factor.
Runs on a low-power DAA computer.
Configurable across most airframes and operational environments.

Plug-And-Play Integration

Supports plug-and-play installation with Echodyne EchoFlight radar.
Supports ADS-B In receivers and compatible transponders.
Integrates via Ethernet and/or USB, depending on hardware configuration.
Enables rapid, flexible integration across platforms.

Core Capabilities

Multi-sensor data inputs. Correlates platform telemetry, ADS-B in, and radar tracks into a unified air picture.
Near real-time conflict detection. Evaluates proximity and closure rates against configurable thresholds.
Resolution advisories. Provides avoidance guidance to a remote pilot interface or an integrated flight control system.
Autopilot integration support. Enables automated deconfliction pathways when integrated and authorized.
Logging and traceability. Supports post-mission review, safety analysis, and test reporting.

Mission Applications

Test and training ranges. Supports mixed crewed and uncrewed traffic environments.
Operational BVLOS missions. Provides onboard separation support where ground infrastructure is limited.
Manned-unmanned teaming. Improves deconfliction for multi-asset operations.
Autonomy risk reduction. Supports safety cases for advanced concepts of operation (CONOPS).

Integration And Deployment

FlightHorizon PILOT-M is designed for integration on military UAS platforms.
Connectivity supports onboard networks and common telemetry architectures.
Inputs can include cooperative surveillance and non-cooperative sensing.
Vigilant Aerospace Systems supports integration, configuration, and flight test validation.

Specifications

System type	Onboard, pilot-in-the-loop detect-and-avoid (DAA) software module for military UAS
Primary function	Detection, tracking, and conflict alerting for nearby air traffic Resolution advisories to support remote pilots or onboard flight control integration
Deployment options	Installed on an onboard DAA computer and connected to aircraft systems Configured for platform-specific sensor suites and mission environments
User access	Remote pilot interface integration (GCS-dependent) Supports onboard network connectivity for data exchange and system integration
Surveillance inputs supported	Ownship telemetry data ADS-B In (cooperative traffic) Airborne radar (non-cooperative traffic detection) Echodyne EchoFlight radar
Track correlation & processing	Multi-sensor processing combining radar, cooperative surveillance, and ownship data Real-time correlation into a single air picture for DAA logic and alerting
Situational Awareness	Near-real-time threat detection and alerting Resolution advisories with ordered maneuver reccomendation (climb, descend, turn, speed)
Geofencing	Configurable alerting thresholds and protection volumes (platform and CONOPS dependent) Supports well-clear monitoring logic when configured
Visualization	3D traffic and ownship visualization (interface dependent) Designed to support pilot situational awareness
Data logging & output	Traceable logging for post-mission review and safety analysis Records surveillance inputs, track activity, and alert/advisory events (configuration dependent) Onboard storage
Hardware Specifications	Operating temperature range: -40 to 75° C Connectivity interfaces: Ethernet and C2 link Autopilot integration supported: Pixhawk, Piccolo Radar update rate: up to every 120 milliseconds (radar dependent)
Software standards	NASA DAIDALUS II detect-and-avoid algorithms RTCA DO-365 ASTM F3442 detect-and-avoid performance requirements FAA AC 20-172 guidance for ADS-B in