Iridium partner American Aerospace received
FAA approval for BVLOS drone operations on behalf of a recently
announced oil and gas industry customer, based on proven Detect and
Avoid aircraft right of way capability
MCLEAN,
Va., May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Iridium
Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: IRDM), a leading provider of global
voice and data satellite communications, today announced a historic
development for uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) operations beyond
visual line of sight (BVLOS). Iridium partner American Aerospace
Technologies, Inc. (AATI) was granted a first-of-its-kind waiver
from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to conduct UAS
surveillance of critical infrastructure in the San Joaquin Valley on behalf of a
multinational oil and gas company. This waiver may serve as a
tipping point for wider adoption of safe and scalable UAS
operations in the National Airspace System (NAS).
Enabled by Iridium's truly global L-Band satellite connectivity,
AATI's AiRanger is supporting remote aerial surveillance for the
energy corporation's pipeline and production facilities. Iridium's
low-latency network is providing reliable and cost-effective BVLOS
connectivity, including remote Command and Control (C2) and Detect
and Avoid (DAA) capabilities. Flying over a pipeline network, the
large drones (over 200 lbs.) will send information via
Iridium® satellites to quickly perform routine oil and
gas pipeline inspections. Iridium partner Blue Sky Network
customized the development and integration of its global, dual-mode
SkyLink 7100 voice, data, and BVLOS terminal installed on the
aircraft. The Iridium Connected™ Skylink 7100 enables
continuous tracking and C2 capabilities for aviation and UAV
operations.
The Iridium Connected AiRanger is the first UAS to demonstrate
compliance with industry consensus standards for the DAA system and
meet FAA requirements for aircraft right of way BVLOS operations.
This milestone helps pave the way for companies to deploy BVLOS UAS
to support operations and achieve higher situational awareness,
lowering inspection costs and maximizing value. The waiver
demonstrates that Iridium satellite C2 capabilities can meet large
drone BVLOS waiver requirements with the FAA.
"This certification shows innovation through the fusion of
technology, partnership, and practical application," said
John Peterson, Executive Director of
Aviation, Iridium. "When aircraft manufacturers and communications
providers get together, scalable business solutions can become a
reality. Iridium and our partners AATI and Blue Sky Network are
proud to lay the groundwork for scalable BVLOS operations and show
what's possible with reliable satellite communications."
Iridium continues to collaborate with the drone industry in
establishing safe separation using Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS)
avionics. Last year, Iridium published a whitepaper that addresses
challenges faced in enabling a safe, scalable, and efficient
adoption of UAS in the NAS, including how to maintain safe
separation between aircraft and what supportive COTS avionics are
readily available today. This whitepaper provides a recommended
equipment list and highlights capabilities enabled by the Iridium
network that support safe and scalable UAS operations in the
NAS.
For more information about Iridium, visit: www.iridium.com
For a copy of Iridium's BVLOS whitepaper, visit:
www.iridium.com/monitored-bvlos-safe-separation-whitepaper/
About Iridium Communications Inc.
Iridium® is the only mobile voice and data satellite
communications network that spans the entire globe. Iridium enables
connections between people, organizations, and assets to and from
anywhere, in real time. Together with its ecosystem of partner
companies, Iridium delivers an innovative and rich portfolio of
reliable solutions for markets that require truly global
communications. In 2024, Iridium acquired Satelles and announced
the Iridium Satellite Time and Location service. Iridium
Communications Inc. is headquartered in McLean, Va., U.S.A., and its common stock
trades on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker symbol
IRDM. For more information about Iridium products, services, and
partner solutions, visit www.iridium.com.
Press Contact:
Jordan Hassin
Iridium Communications Inc.
Jordan.Hassin@Iridium.com
X: @Iridiumcomm
Investor Contact:
Kenneth Levy
Iridium Communications Inc.
Ken.Levy@Iridium.com
+1 (703) 287-7570
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SOURCE Iridium Communications Inc.