Echodyne, a radar platform company, announced that its EchoFlight radar has been integrated into the American Aerospace Technologies, Inc. (AATI) AiRanger aircraft, which obtained a waiver from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) last week for commercial Beyond Visual Line-of-Sight (BVLOS) flight operations. The waiver permits AATI to use the onboard detect-and-avoid (DAA) system for adhering to aircraft right-of-way rules during BVLOS operations, making the AiRanger the first unmanned aircraft system (UAS) to meet industry consensus standards for the DAA system.
This approval marks a major milestone for the unmanned aviation industry as a whole and is the culmination of concerted efforts over many years from a diverse array of technology partners and regulatory bodies to safely bring a next-generation, first-of-kind BVLOS aircraft into commercial operation. The level of rigor and evaluation for such a feat is not to be understated, as this process required regulatory agencies to review new, emerging technologies that had never come into their assessment purview before.
In addition, the complex and cutting-edge aviation navigation technologies underpinning the AiRanger aircraft had not previously been integrated into one, singular system. The scale of the achievement is highlighted by how the AiRanger is able to rely on such advanced technologies to assist with remotely piloted concepts of operation (ConOps) across the full spectrum – human on the loop, human in the loop (semi-autonomous), and human out of the loop (fully autonomous).
“With the granting of the FAA waiver, it showcases how this entire process has been truly a multi-party collaborative endeavor and AATI is grateful to Echodyne for their steadfast and exceptional support throughout the multi-year effort,” said David Yoel, CEO at American Aerospace Technologies, Inc.
“Echodyne’s EchoFlight radar provides unparalleled data fidelity and precision, and this first-of-its-kind waiver is evidence of radar's role in providing the situational awareness necessary for successful detect-and-avoid systems.”
FAA approval enables AATI's AiRanger, a 220-pound aircraft capable of flying for 12 hours and up to 750 miles at altitudes to 12,000’ MSL, for commercial operations under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) beyond the pilot’s line of sight. The AiRanger's deployment focuses on critical infrastructure patrol, threat detection, and reporting, particularly in pipeline surveillance for maintaining integrity and safety. EchoFlight radar integration provides essential situational awareness for search, detection, and tracking of airspace, ensuring operational safety with sufficient detection and tracking ranges.
Click here to learn more about EchoFlight Radar.
Click here to learn more about American Aerospace Technologies, Inc. (AATI).
