Oklahoma is SOONER on future aerial flight and that’s OK!!!
Below is an important and impressive announcement by the State of Oklahoma. The predicate to this news is that the Oklahoma Legislature in 2022 passed thePreserving Rural Economic Prosperity (PREP) fund initiative, inpart, to invest in UAS and AAM infrastructure across the state for the integration of these new technologies. The recent press release by the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics (ODAA- the name alone is a significant differentiation[1]) shows that they are not just envisioning the future of aerial vehicles but acting.
ODAA has teamed with Vigilant Aerospace and DeTect, Inc. to create a state a (the 1st[2]) airspace management system and automatic detect-and-avoid solution to support both DRONE FLIGHTS (UAS) and ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY (AAM).[It is not clear how the SOONER state’s UTM will integrate with the FAA’s NASA’s UTM efforts.[3] The proposed system is well defined in the state’s statement.
More notable is what OK has been doing. Excerpts from the ODAA website:
The Oklahoma Legislature has been forward-thinking insofar as ensuring our state is seen as a friendly, fly-to state for the development and testing of the UAS/AAM industry…
…the Legislature passed SB 659 during the 2021 session which created the UAS program office within the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics with the goal to help assist fellow state agencies, local municipalities, law enforcement and first responders, educators, and others with current policy and regulation adoption, best operational practices, technology capabilities, grant funding and test site development among other activities. Creation of the UAS program office within ODAA was cited in a Mercatus Special Study released by George Mason University in June 2022 in which OKLAHOMA WAS RANKED #1 IN THE UNITED STATES REGARDING STATE READINESS FOR DRONE COMMERCE..
ODAA has supported its mission with very relevant information like its QUICK FACTS:
A well-crafted 51 page report from a consulting firm helps convince the citizens that this UAS/AAM infrastructure investment is a great return on their tax dollars—
THERE IS MUCH TO LEARN about how these disruptive technologies can safely and efficiently operate. Safety Regulators traditionally rely on past performance to assess future risk. There is minimal experience with UAS and eVTOL flight; so, experiments like OK’s will help the FAA regulate the safety of these vehicles. The Sooner State is clearly out-in-front of its peers in its UTM implementation. Grants were awarded to 7 states to learn out what the UAS sector is capable of and what these systems need.
ODAA’s experiences will provide incredible insights into these two innovative forms of flight, especially the eVTOL operations. The forward thinking of this state may lead to the implement of both SOONER!!!
State of Oklahoma launches first investment in advanced air mobility infrastructure
Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics Press
The Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics (ODAA) has completed the selection process and executed a contract for the state’s first investment in an airspace management system and automatic detect-and-avoid solution to support both DRONE FLIGHTS and the rapidly emerging ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY (AAM) industry.
ODAA has selected VIGILANT AEROSPACE, a local company based in Oklahoma City, to deploy this system on behalf of the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority (OSIDA).
This selection aims to develop the state as a national proving ground for both civilian and military drones and to pave the way for AAM operations like electric vertical takeoff air taxis and autonomous cargo aircraft.
Under the multi-year contract, Vigilant will deploy the first FlightHorizon system at the Oklahoma Air & Space Port at Clinton-Sherman Airport in partnership with OSIDA, which operates one of only 14 FAA-licensed spaceports in the United States.
The project includes the integration and management of multiple mobile air traffic surveillance radars and provides remote monitoring and Uncrewed Traffic Management (UTM) functions.
Through FlightHorizon, the state will have the ability to MONITOR AIRSPACE and track both cooperative and non-cooperative aircraft, replacing visual observers (VOs) with electronic observers (EOs). When implemented, the system eliminates the need for a chase plane for long-range beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) flight of uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS), including high-speed, high-altitude flights.
Funding for the project was provided by the Oklahoma Legislature in 2022 as a part of the Preserving Rural Economic Prosperity (PREP) fund initiative with the desire to invest in UAS and AAM infrastructure to prepare OSIDA and other entities across the state for the integration of these new technologies.
The project at the Oklahoma Air & Space Port located near Burns Flat in western Oklahoma will support ODAA’s statewide goal of developing ADVANCED AUTONOMOUS AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS AND BVLOS FLIGHT TESTING of next-generation military and cargo UAS in the US National Airspace System.
Because the system is mobile and can be redeployed throughout the state, it will serve as a launchpad to pioneer and establish procedures for AAM operations at multiple potential locations.
The core of the system is a scalable cloud-based software integrated with multiple air traffic surveillance radars[4] manufactured by project partner, DETECT, INC. In addition to mobile radar trailers, FlightHorizon also uses data from radars, aircraft transponders, drone telemetry, Remote ID drone beacons and online FAA data to provide a comprehensive picture of the airspace to remote pilots and airspace managers.
“This investment in systems and infrastructure for advanced air mobility and autonomous aircraft is one of several initiatives that demonstrate the state of Oklahoma’s commitment to being a national leader on the cutting edge of aviation industry technology,” said Grayson Ardies, executive director, ODAA.
“The traditional aerospace and defense industry plays a critical role in the State’s economy, and we are grateful for the opportunity to bring this new segment of the industry together with Oklahoma’s pioneering spirit to ensure our state stays at the forefront of the national conversation to develop autonomous aviation systems.”
“The Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority is proud to lead Oklahoma into a new era of investing in transformative technologies that will shape Oklahoma’s future space and aeronautics industries,” Craig Smith, Executive Director, OSIDA
“This partnership with Vigilant Aerospace underscores our commitment to making Oklahoma an industry leader in technology advancements and expanding the state’s capabilities supporting the missions of current and future customers. OSIDA applauds the Oklahoma Legislature for supporting this important technology and is excited to promote their vision. Through this initiative, we are building the infrastructure that will enable the safe and efficient operation of autonomous aircraft, creating new opportunities for innovation, job growth, and economic development.”
“Oklahoma understands the importance of the autonomous aviation industry for the state and our nation and is taking the lead in this growing industry and ecosystem,” said Kraettli Epperson, CEO, Vigilant Aerospace.
“Choosing a flexible, scalable solution that can support a wide range of military and commercial drone flights, and investing in the emerging AAM industry, Oklahoma is showing the nation a path forward. We are proud that our technology can serve as the cornerstone of this initiative and look forward to seeing FlightHorizon provide a new level of scalable, safe air traffic management in the State while providing opportunities for technological and economic development.”
This press release was prepared and distributed by the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics.
[1] Per AI CoPilot Today, Oklahoma is the only state that has a Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics
[2] Per AI CoPilot, Oklahoma the first to start a state airspace management system and automatic detect-and-avoid solution
[3] The FAA has been working on the UTM Pilot Program (UPP), which aims to define and demonstrate capabilities required to support UTM operations The program has gone through multiple phases, including testing technologies like Remote Identification (RID) and UAS Volume Reservations (UVR)_program. The FAA is collaborating with industry stakeholders, UAS test sites, and NASA to develop a framework for managing low-altitude drone operations NASA has been a key partner in the UTM Pilot Program, providing research and development Their UTM BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) subproject focuses on enabling safe drone operations in low-altitude airspace, including package delivery and public safety operations. NASA’s efforts are aimed at ensuring that drone operations can be routine, safe, and efficient.
[4] DeTect specializes in advanced 2D and True3D™ radar and other sensor technologies. It’s unique radar signal processing technology in MERLIN, developed specifically for reliable detection and tracking OF SMALL, NON-COOPERATIVE, LOW RADAR-CROSS SECTION, NON-LINEARLY MOVING TARGETS,
