Listen to the latest Innovate That podcast with Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell and Kraettli L. Epperson, CEO of Vigilant Aerospace Systems, about the future of drones, aerospace innovation, and Oklahoma’s leadership in advanced air mobility.
They cover the dramatic growth around UAS innovation and development in Oklahoma, the strong public-private partnerships that support this and the impact of this innovation beyond the state.
Listen to the full interview and read the full transcript below.
INNOVATE THAT PODCAST – LT GOVERNOR MATT PINNELL, MARCH 14, 2025
Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell:
Hey, welcome everybody to another episode of our Innovate that podcast where we highlight the innovators and companies driving progress in Oklahoma. I’m your host, Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell, and today we are diving into the future of aviation and drone technology with a leader in the field. I was talking to him before we started this. I spend way more time than I ever thought I would be spending talking to aerospace companies and defense industry contract contractors in Oklahoma, just because it’s such a growing industry in Oklahoma. So I’m really excited about this and excited for you all to hear this interview. Our guest is Crate Lee Epso, who is the CEO of Village. Yes, aerospace systems and Oklahoma based Oklahoma City based right in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City based company, developing industry leading aerospace safety technology for drones and crewed aircraft. I mean, we’ve talked so much about unmanned drone technology here in Oklahoma. It’s really the wave of the future Village and Aerospace works with nasa. You may have heard of them, the FAAI may have heard of them. And the US Air Force certainly have heard of them. So very big clients. So we’re really proud to have them in Oklahoma to advance drone safety and autonomous flight. The company benefited from OAS funding. We love to hear that. Helping fuel aerospace innovation again right here in our great state. Greatly welcome to the show.
Kraettli L. Epperson:
Thank you. Thank you, Matt. Yeah, just to provide a little bit of background, the company, so it’s vigilant Aerospace Systems, it’s a hard word, but yeah. So it’s the idea of providing safety for all kinds of aircraft with a focus on UNC crewed aircraft, so drones all the way up to larger military drones, advanced air mobility like air taxis. So we’re the leading developer of Multisensor collision avoidance systems for drones called Detect and Avoid. We started in 2015 by licensing a couple of patents out of NASA Armstrong in California, and that’s really how we got started working with Ricardo Arteaga is the inventor at Armstrong, and we use those patents to build up our software. So we use off the shelf hardware radars, radio transponder, receivers, integration with autopilots, integration with FA data and air traffic control data. And we bring all that together and fuse it together in software to provide remote pilots and with people managing drones on the ground with the ability to know what’s around drones, to sense other aircraft and then avoid any sort of conflict with those other aircraft. So really fundamental problem for the industry to move forward to be able to do that.
Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell:
Well, and again, we’ve kind of seen that, I mean, on your evening news, I feel like on a weekly basis, just the congestion that we’re seeing
Kraettli L. Epperson:
Right.
Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell:
Again, that’s a whole different level of course, but just again, where we’re going when it comes to drone technology, you’re going to have the same problem, whether it be a war fighting situation or just a drone show for goodness sakes over any sort of urban or rural setting. So this is really cool stuff. So you work with nasa, the FA US Air Force, advancing this drone safety and autonomous flight. What are some of your biggest challenges maybe in integrating drones into national airspace, and how does your technology help solve that?
Kraettli L. Epperson:
Sure. Yeah. One of the biggest problems right now, and it’s really the big technical gap that we are focused on, is the ability of drones to be able to know what other aircraft are nearby and to avoid those aircraft and do it as automatically as possible with the remote pilot supervising that or providing the maneuver. So one of the biggest technical challenges is how you sense those other aircraft. So sometimes it’s done if those aircraft have transponders, that makes it relatively easy because they’re broadcasting as most larger aircraft are, but some smaller aircraft don’t have transponders, and that’s when we involve a radar so we can track what are called non-cooperative. They’re not broadcasting their radio license plate, so to speak, and so a radar is used to detect those other aircraft. So that’s the really fundamental technical gap that we’re working on. So that drones as an increasing number of them are carrying out cargo missions and search and rescue missions and all types of delivery and inspection and handling floods and fires and things like that that they can fly safely when there are also other aircraft nearby. And so you got to be able to sense those aircraft
Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell:
And no one else is really addressing this issue. I mean, you guys really are on the cutting edge of this competition, so to speak.
Kraettli L. Epperson:
Yeah, there are always competitors, certainly, and there are some big companies that, particularly for their own drones, particularly for larger drones, do have things that they’re working on. We were really lucky to be in the right place at the right time to license these patents from NASA, and so that has given us a big leg up and the fact that this is all we focus on. This is really our focus to be able to advance the industry by having these systems available.
Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell:
Great. Again, it sure makes sense to me of something that we need in this country, but around the world. Oklahoma recently made its first investment in advanced air mobility infrastructure and selected Flight Horizon as part of that initiative. What impact do you think this will have on the future of drone operations in our state?
Kraettli L. Epperson:
Sure, absolutely. So we’re really excited about that project and I’ll tell you just a little bit about
Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell:
It. Yeah, tell our listeners a little bit about it.
Kraettli L. Epperson:
So Flight Horizon is the name of our family of products, and so we have ground-based systems that exist for smaller drones to help support them on the ground. And then we have onboard systems. That’s Flight Horizon Pilot that actually goes onto a larger drone is computer and sensors on the drone. This project with the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics and the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority is a really exciting project that they have collaborated on to bring in a large scale portable radar based air traffic surveillance system and detect and avoid system, which is what our software is used for, in which we are managing a suite of larger radars and other sensors to allow Oklahoma to support testing development for manufacturers of drones from small all the way up to quite large military drones in the state with safety. So that’s what our goal is. It’s being rolled out initially at Burns Flat at the Spaceport, which is exciting and it’s portable, so the state can decide over time to use it at Burns flat to use it at other places as needed for emergency response to other types of testing.
Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell:
Excellent. Well, we got high hopes then for that, and again, we appreciate you being at it Burns flat as well. I talk about the fact that we have one of only 12 spaceports in
Kraettli L. Epperson:
America
Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell:
And Burns Flat is one of them. So Vigilant Aerospace has also received funding from oca. As I kind of talked about, we always like on these shows to kind of connect the dots for our listeners on this innovation pipeline model that we have in Oklahoma. OAS being a big part of that. How did that support help your company grow and develop the cutting edge technology that you’re working on today?
Kraettli L. Epperson:
Yeah, absolutely. We are very grateful to cast. So the company was awarded two oars funding contracts, one in 2021 in 2024. And this was a project in which we cooperated with OSU on both of those, and we were employing the
Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell:
New product center at OSU.
Kraettli L. Epperson:
We were actually working with Air
With Jamie Jacob and the team over there and using the unmanned aircraft flight station, which is in just outside Stillwater. And so we did two projects. One of ’em was the first one in which we were doing really deep radar integration. We were using engineering talent, equipment and facilities from OSU, and then our software developers and engineers were doing all the product development. And that really positioned us very well to become a leader in the use of these onboard sensors and ground-based sensors to do detect and avoid. And we did another project, which we finished up in 2024, to integrate a larger radar and build a network of radars. So this allows us to do multiple radars for military projects, multiple radars onboard an aircraft, and then to do projects like the Burns Flat Project, where we’ve got multiple large radars that are integrated into a network system and you get thousands of square kilometers of coverage with that system. So both of those cast were supportive projects were very helpful to us.
Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell:
Well, you’re on our wall of honor. I’m here at OAS for that.
Kraettli L. Epperson:
We try.
Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell:
So you serve on faas Beyond Visual Line of Sight Aviation Rulemaking committee. That is quite the mouthful, by the way.
Kraettli L. Epperson:
Yeah.
Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell:
Beyond Visual Line of Sight Aviation Rulemaking committee, which again, very important these days on what we see on the news. Why is this such a critical issue for the future of drone operations and how do you see Oklahoma playing a role in shaping the industry?
Kraettli L. Epperson:
Sure. Yeah. So the FA Beyond Visual Line of Sight Rulemaking Committee is a process that the FA goes through to create new industry rules for everybody to follow. Right now, to fly a drone, particularly small drones, you have to fly them line of sight. You have to be able as a pilot to see your drone. And that tremendously limits what you can do with a drone.
Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell:
It sure does. Yeah,
Kraettli L. Epperson:
Right. You can inspect a reservoir, you can inspect pipeline, and then you have to move and do it again. Right. Okay.
Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell:
I didn’t even realize that. Okay. So
Kraettli L. Epperson:
Particularly for small drones, for larger drones, you can get involved with air traffic control, but that’s typically much more expensive, and the military does that. So that committee is drafting rules on making this routine so you can follow the rules, use a system, for example, a detect and void system like ours, and then be able to fly beyond visual line of sight routinely. So if you want to have an aviation industry in which drones can do routine inspections, long range electrical line inspections, response to tornadoes, response to other types of disasters, and do it quickly and efficiently, where you’re not literally walking along below your drone, essentially, you have to have these new rules. So these rules are being drafted right now by the FAA. They’re kind of called Part 1 0 8 after the original part 1 0 7 rules that allowed commercial drones to fly. So we’re really excited that in the next hopefully few months to a year, we will see those rules being published by the FAA. It
Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell:
Could be a real game changer then for Industry.
Kraettli L. Epperson:
Yeah, yeah.
Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell:
Wonderful. Based on your experience, how would you describe the current state of the industry and where do you see it heading in the next five, 10, or even maybe 20 years? We always like to get that insight from an expert in the field. It is such a critical industry for Oklahoma. I mean, aerospace in general is the second largest industry in our state. So as a politician in the state, I’m always wanting to ask the experts. What do you see? Where do you see this industry going?
Kraettli L. Epperson:
Yeah, we’re really at a transition point for the industry. It’s like the conversion from locomotive engines to the internal combustion engine with changes in rules and really rapid advances in technology. There is an opportunity for a big economic impact for jurisdictions that decide that drones are an important part of their future, and we’re excited to see Oklahoma making decisions about that, deciding that it is important to invest in the future of aviation here. And so we want to see lots of testing here. We want to see lots of development, and then we want to be at the forefront of the ability to really use drones economically, but even larger than that in the industry, when we look out further, there’s really national nation state competition right now for the development of the technology, the dominance of the industry for both civilian and military drones. And so we as a company, and I think as a state want to be concerned that the US continue to advance and take a leadership role in the development of this technology so we don’t fall behind. There are places where a centralized government authority can just kind of decide and rubber stamp flights that here being very safety conscious, take us time to work out and systems and investment, but we don’t want that to cause us to fall behind
Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell:
Competitors.
Kraettli L. Epperson:
So that’s the point. Where’re actually, everything is ramping up. And so the question is where are we going to be in five years in terms of multinational competition?
Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell:
Yeah. Well, and I hope Oklahoma continues to operate that way of being proactive and wanting to be on the forefront and compete with the Alabama’s and aerospace states, Oklahoma’s there. We really are there. I mean, our history, where we are today and where we want to go with the military presence, certainly that we have in the state as well, we’re really creating a brand around this. And again, the entrepreneurs like you that are coming alongside all of that infrastructure is super exciting,
Kraettli L. Epperson:
Really
Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell:
Exciting. So we always ask this question as well, for entrepreneurs and startups in Oklahoma looking to grow in aerospace or advanced technology, what advice would you give about leveraging resources like O Cast or the university systems as you talked about as well, and state supportive incentives?
Kraettli L. Epperson:
Sure. Yeah. So we very much benefited from the OCAST program. So we leverage federal funds, and the OCAST program leverages federal matching. And so we used small business innovation research programs and contracts to unlock some of our OAS funding. And so that was incredibly helpful. And so we encourage everyone to learn about those programs, learn about how they work in sync with OC and other state programs,
Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell:
And you didn’t have a huge team doing this.
Kraettli L. Epperson:
It’s not too far. We have a small team
Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell:
To figure out connecting the dots. I mean, again, go to ocas website and start connecting the dots of where you can start tracking the dollars.
Kraettli L. Epperson:
Yeah, absolutely. Yes. So the thing I would say is that the OAS program is relatively easy to access versus a lot of the federal programs. It’s managed locally here in Oklahoma City. If you have a question, you can literally walk in the office or talk to Jennifer at an event and figure out how to do the right type of project. And of course, the other thing that’s really important are the local institutions. So access to particularly OSU, a lot of interesting research at ou, other institutions that are pulling that expertise and engineering expertise together in the state, getting to know them for entrepreneurs so you can leverage them into C programs, federal programs, and OAS programs is absolutely key. You have to show up with a very compelling proposal. Right?
Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell:
No, there’s no doubt. So for folks that want to learn more, again, vigilant Aerospace, what’s a good website for you?
Kraettli L. Epperson:
Sure. Yeah, it’s www vigilant aerospace.com. So it’s just the name of the company.
Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell:
That’s it. Vigilant aerospace.com. Great. Great. Well greatly listen, this was very eyeopening for me. I mean, again, it’s always reassuring, I guess is the word that I would use. We preach about aerospace every day around the state, talk about how important it is. It’s the, again, second largest industry in our state outside of oil and gas, and then aerospace number two, and we all know how important oil and gas is to the state of Oklahoma. I think there’s still a lot of people around the state that don’t realize how much we’ve grown when it comes to aerospace and defense industry. And again, that includes in a big way, drone technology and where that’s going. So it’s great to see, again, software entrepreneurs and getting into this space that it’s not just big companies. We’re not just talking about big global players. We’re talking about folks with ideas like you and others that can rally around a few other entrepreneurs and build the big companies of the future. I believe this is what this could be.
Kraettli L. Epperson:
Yeah. Well, we appreciate you getting the message out about the growth and advancement of the technology and the aerospace industry here, and very much appreciate you inviting us on this show.
Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell:
Absolutely. Thank you greatly. Thanks for being here. The Innovate. That podcast has been brought to you again by the fine folks from O Cast. We talked a lot about them today. And again, hopefully for you all listening, making that connection for an entrepreneur that’s listening to this today, there is help out there from the state of Oklahoma. If you like the show, and we sure hope that you do, please post review, hit the like or subscribe button located almost anywhere that you can listen to podcasts. You can download this as well. So I want to say thank you again for joining us. Make sure to tune in next time to the Innovate That podcast have a great week.
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