
The research and flight testing team from OSU and Vigilant Aerospace review systems during the recent flight at the OSU Unmanned Aircraft Flight Station.
Technical Milestones
The recent flight test achieved several important milestones in the development and testing of the FlightHorizon safety system. The latest version of the software fuses data from multiple sources to create a complete view of air traffic. During the flight test, the system combined data from both manned aircraft transponders (ADS-B) and from drone radio telemetry. FlightHorizon is currently compatible with a wide range of transponder radio receivers, including the uAvionix PingStation, and with any of the hundreds of models of drone flight controllers that use the popular MavLINK protocol.
OSU twin-motor, fixed-wing UAS taking off from the OSU Unmanned Aircraft Flight Station on Feb. 13, 2020
Photo Credit: Gary Lawson/Oklahoma State University
Future Flights and Development
The research and development team is looking forward to the next round of test flights in April and May, 2020. “In the future, we eagerly anticipate both having radar tracking directly in the FlightHorizon system and also the demonstration of distributed installations across multiple computers, fusing data from sensors at multiple locations,” said Epperson.About the OSU Unmanned Systems Research Institute
From the website:
Unmanned vehicles have become a revolutionary technology that is taking the world by storm. The OSU Unmanned Systems Research Institute (USRI) accesses expertise across Oklahoma State University allowing them to combine cutting edge product development with academic knowledge and resources to create unique solutions to critical problems. For more information on the OSU Unmanned Systems Research Institute, visit CEAT.okstate.edu/USRI.
About the OSU School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
From the website: The Oklahoma State University School (OSU) of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) instructs and encourages students to reach full potential in technical expertise, innovative expression, intellectual curiosity, and collaborative design. MAE’s mission is to prepare engineers that are competitive nation-wide and internationally for employment opportunities and who will become respected achievers within their discipline and prepared for a lifetime of continuing development. For more information on the OSU School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, visit MAE.okstate.edu.About the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science & Technology (OCAST)
From the website:
About Vigilant Aerospace Systems
Vigilant Aerospace Systems is a private company headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma providing software and services worldwide. In addition to the FlightHorizon system, the company also provides integration and development consulting, testing, training and compliance services for unmanned aircraft flight operations and fleet managers. For more information on Vigilant Aerospace Systems and FlightHorizon detect-and-avoid and airspace management system, visit our website at www.VigilantAerospace.comAbout FlightHorizon
FlightHorizon is a situational awareness and safety system for airspace management. The system provides airspace managers with either a 2D or 3D view of all aircraft in the selected airspace using a combination of sensors and data sources to create an airspace safety picture for pilots, airspace managers and command centers.
Flight Test Photos:
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OSU twin-motor, fixed-wing UAS taking off from the OSU Unmanned Aircraft Flight Station on Feb. 13, 2020.
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Vigilant Aerospace System’s team setting up FlightHorizon with an EchoGuard radar unit at the OSU Unmanned Aircraft Flight Station.
Photo Credit: Gary Lawson/Oklahoma State University
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Vigilant Aerospace System’s team setting up FlightHorizon with an EchoGuard radar unit at the OSU Unmanned Aircraft Flight Station.
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The OSU and VAS team setting up for the flight at the OSU Unmanned Aircraft Flight Station.
Photo Credit: Gary Lawson/Oklahoma State University
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FlightHorizon displaying airspace traffic data while tracking ownship.
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Vigilant Aerospace Systems setting up FlightHorizon with Oklahoma State University setting up the radar display.
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Airspace display capture from FlightHorizon during the flight demonstration on Feb. 13, 2020
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The OSU and VAS team actively monitoring the flight from the OSU Unmanned Aircraft Flight Station
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Vigilant Aerospace System’s team monitoring the UAS flight with FlightHorizon at the OSU Unmanned Aircraft Flight Station.
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Vigilant Aerospace Systems’ CEO Kraettli Epperson debriefing the team after a successful flight demonstration.
2020.02.13_11 – Flight Test with OSU-takeoff
OSU twin-motor, fixed-wing UAS taking off from the OSU Unmanned Aircraft Flight Station on Feb. 13, 2020
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OSU twin-motor, fixed-wing UAS taking off from the OSU Unmanned Aircraft Flight Station on Feb. 13, 2020
Photo Credit: Gary Lawson/Oklahoma State University
Media Coverage:
- “OSU partnership with Vigilant Aerospace powered by NASA technology.” Oklahoma State University; 25 February 2020.
- “BVLOS tests boosted by Oklahoma Center support grant.” Unmanned Airspace; 27 February 2020.
- “OSU, Vigilant working to help drones ‘talk’.” Journal Record; 26 February 2020. [Subscription Required]
- “OSU Partnership with Vigilant Aerospace Powered by NASA Technology.” 26 February 2020.
- “Partnership powers by technology.” The Ponca City News; 27 February 2020. [Subscription Required]