The Foundation For BVLOS Operations is With ACAS X Onboard

In the realm of aviation, safety is paramount. As unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) continue to proliferate in the airspace, it becomes crucial to ensure they can detect and avoid potential collisions with both cooperative and noncooperative aircraft. To address this challenge, Sagetech has developed ACAS X Solutions, combining noncooperative aircraft detection with cooperative surveillance and collision avoidance systems. This blog post explores the impact of ACAS X Solutions and highlights the benefits they offer for various aviation sectors.

In order to achieve a world with zero aircraft collisions, UAVs must possess the ability to detect and avoid both cooperative and noncooperative aircraft. While the number of noncooperative aircraft is decreasing, their presence remains a safety concern that needs to be addressed. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) emphasizes the importance of integrating collision avoidance systems into UAV operations to ensure safer beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations.

The implementation of ACAS X Solutions has far-reaching impacts on the aviation industry, particularly in the following areas:

1. Urban Air Mobility (UAM): ACAS X Solutions enable the expansion of urban air mobility, providing enhanced passenger mobility while increasing the capacity, efficiency, and scope of urban transportation systems. This advancement can reduce costs and significantly decrease CO2 emissions from the transportation sector.
2. Advanced Air Mobility (AAM): With ACAS X Solutions, advanced air mobility becomes a reality, facilitating a safe, automated, equitable, and environmentally-friendly air transportation system for passengers and cargo.
3. Larger Commercial UAS: For long-range inspections and heavy payload operations in the National Airspace System (NAS), the integration of ACAS X Solutions ensures significant cost savings while eliminating safety hazards associated with crewed flights or ground inspections of remote assets.
4. Smaller Commercial UAS: ACAS X Solutions also benefit smaller commercial UAVs engaged in localized inspections, package deliveries, and other missions. By routinely operating BVLOS without individual flight waivers, these aircraft can reduce time, costs, and energy consumption associated with many tasks.

The ACAS X Processor from Sagetech is a low Size, Weight, and Power – Cost (SWaP-C) solution that seamlessly integrates with third-party technologies such as radar, visual or acoustic noncooperative traffic sensors, Remote ID, autopilots, GPS, C2 links, and UTM solutions. This integration allows for a robust and FAA-certifiable collision avoidance system that can be readily integrated and tested today.

Sagetech’s ACAS X Processor has been successfully integrated and tested on multiple aircraft platforms. By pairing Sagetech’s TSO-approved MXS ADS-B transponder with the ACAS X sensor fusion and collision avoidance system, a comprehensive detect-and-avoid (DAA) air risk mitigation solution is achieved. This combination ensures a high level of situational awareness and safety for UAV operations.

Sagetech’s ACAS X Solutions offer a robust and reliable collision avoidance system for UAVs, enabling safer BVLOS operations and ensuring enhanced situational awareness for pilots and operators. By integrating noncooperative aircraft detection with cooperative surveillance, Sagetech is paving the way for a future of zero aircraft collisions. With their expertise and commitment to innovative solutions, Sagetech is a trusted partner in the quest for safer and more efficient aviation operations.