Sagetech’s ACAS X DAA system complete successful integration with Echodyne’s EchoFlight radar
Bingen, WA, January 17th, 2023. – Sagetech Avionics, an aerospace technology company that advances safer skies through innovative Detect and Avoid (DAA) Systems, has announced a successful integration with Echodyne’s market-leading EchoFlight radar for aircraft seeking type certification/airworthiness with BVLOS CONOPS.
Sagetech has taken a systematic approach vs. component only in developing a robust solution that will meet the needs for BVLOS within the UAM, AAM and UAS markets. Collaborating on an ACAS X-based DAA system with Echodyne around customer requirements will create a faster, more reliable, and certifiable solution.
The DAA/ACAS integration with radar tests included multiple flights to gather data and validate the technology needed for future BVLOS missions, in which they primarily focused on non-cooperative sensor integration and performance. The flight tests consisted of multiple close encounter scenarios to exhaustively test the performance of the DAA system. Sagetech’s DAA system used the Echodyne EchoFlight radar to detect and track non-cooperative aircraft (aircraft without ADS-B out or a transponder). The system also integrated with Sagetech’s TSO certified MXS Transponder to receive cooperative ADS-B traffic, an Autopilot to get ownship information, and an onboard datalink to communicate with the ground control station (GCS). Data gathered was shared with the TCAS Program Office for validating the models used to create the ACAS collision avoidance algorithms. The data will also be used to verify that using a radar like the EchoFlight provides enough time to send an alert down to the GCS to avoid a midair collision with a non-cooperative aircraft like a crop duster.
“Sagetech is a leader in creating comprehensive DAA solutions for UAS and AAM markets,” said Casey Dunn, Senior Product Manager for EchoFlight at Echodyne. “BVLOS flight will add services, reduce costs, and improve public safety across a range of applications. We’re proud our radar is now integrated with Sagetech’s DAA systems, creating next-generation off-the-shelf solutions that improve safety for both people and machines.”
Casey Dunn, Senior Product Manager for EchoFlight, Echodyne
Sagetech will continue to evolve the ACAS X-based DAA system; adding more sensor options to detect non-cooperative intruders and integrate with more common autopilots for issuing autonomous collision avoidance maneuvers in the case of a lost link. Sagetech’s DAA System will be the most advanced, low- SWAP, and certifiable onboard DAA system for crewed and uncrewed aircraft. Sagetech’s DAA computer is at the center of their innovation hub that will enable OEMs all over the world to plug and play for optimum safety and visibility for BVLOS flight.
Jim Billmeyer, Senior ACAS Development Lead at Sagetech, who is a licensed private pilot, and a software and mechanical engineer, is eager to perfect Sagetech’s solution for beta testing . “Many customers are on the waitlist for integration, and we cannot wait to unleash our capabilities. It really is a game changer!” said Jim.
To learn more about Sagetech’s ACAS solutions, visit: https://sagetech.com/acas-solutions/
To learn more about Echodyne’s full suite of radars, visit: https://echodyne.com
About Sagetech Avionics
Sagetech Avionics is an aerospace technology company empowering safe flight in crewed and uncrewed aircraft with certifiable situational awareness solutions. Currently serving military and civil duty on a broad range of UAV platforms, Sagetech solutions are mission-proven and offer decades of program experience, certifications, and millions of flight hours to deliver maximum value over the life of an unmanned platform. Today, Sagetech is expanding its technology platform to create comprehensive, certifiable systems such as detect and avoid solutions. Every day, Sagetech works in concert with its extensive ecosystem of OEM customers, technology partners, and resellers to ensure UAVs fly safer with Sagetech on board. Visit www.sagetech.com.
Echodyne, the radar platform company, is a U.S. designer and manufacturer of advanced commercial radar solutions. The company’s proprietary technology creates the only metamaterials electronically scanned array (MESA®) radar, combining breakthrough Tx/Rx cell density with powerful software to deliver superior sensor performance for intelligent systems, autonomous machines, and smart cities. The data fidelity from Echodyne radars radically improves system performance and enhances safety for people and machines across a wide range of defense, government, and commercial market applications. From pilotless aircraft and driverless cars to critical infrastructure protection, border security, and counter-UAS, Echodyne radars provide unparalleled situational awareness when it matters most. Privately held, the company is based outside Seattle, Washington, and is backed by Bill Gates, NEA, Madrona Venture Group, Baillie Gifford, and Northrop Grumman among others. For more information, please visit: Echodyne.com.
