US state Oklahoma advances drone and air mobility tech with a new airspace management system, paving the way for long-range autonomous flight operations
Oklahoma City, OK (February 7, 2025) – The US state of Oklahoma has taken a significant leap forward in aviation technology by investing in an airspace management system and automatic detect-and-avoid solution. The initiative, led by the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics (ODAA), marks the state’s first investment in Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) infrastructure, which supports drone flights and autonomous aircraft operations.
ODAA has awarded a contract to Oklahoma City-based Vigilant Aerospace to implement the system, which will be deployed at the Oklahoma Air & Space Port at Clinton-Sherman Airport in partnership with the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority (OSIDA).
The goal is to establish Oklahoma as a national hub for both civilian and military drone operations while paving the way for electric vertical takeoff air taxis and autonomous cargo aircraft.
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