The Northern Plains UAS Test Site will support AURA Network Systems’ recently announced contract with the Federal Aviation Administration. AURA, a supplier of secure and reliable communications solutions for the aviation industry, received a FAA Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) contract to demonstrate and validate technologies in support of the safe integration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems into the National Airspace System (NAS).
“We are honoured to be selected by the FAA for this crucial project,” said Kevin Steen, Chief Executive Officer of AURA. “Our innovative communications solutions, built on our licensed spectrum, are designed to ensure the highest levels of safety, security, and reliability for both crewed and uncrewed aircraft. This project will allow us to further demonstrate our capabilities, particularly in providing a voice relay that enables a remote pilot of an uncrewed aircraft to communicate with Air Traffic Control (ATC) as if onboard the aircraft, a critical factor for safe and effective airspace integration.”
Steen explained that the project includes qualitative and quantitative measurements of voice quality, intelligibility, and end-to-end latency, showcasing AURA’s unique ability to meet the voice latency requirements of RTCA. The air transportation industry’s independent Standards Development Organization works with the FAA to develop comprehensive, industry-vetted recommendations for technical performance standards and the operating environment for those standards. Command-and-Control Communications Service Providers (C2CSPs) like AURA must meet extremely low-latency metrics to ensure air traffic controllers can communicate clearly with remote pilots on the ground, minimizing the risk of communication delays or overlaps.
“Our network is specifically designed to provide C2 and voice services, leveraging aviation-dedicated frequencies to ultimately enable UAS to operate beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS),” noted Steen. “Our integrated solution of both the data pipe and the voice relay offers a significant advantage in meeting RTCA’s stringent voice latency requirements. This award represents a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to support the entire aviation ecosystem while enhancing airspace management.”
The NPUASTS will work closely with AURA as the UAS will be using the Test Site’s Nationwide Certificate of Authorization to demonstrate the company’s voice capabilities within the project. AURA’s mission includes qualitative and quantitative measurements of voice quality, intelligibility, and end-to-end latency, showcasing AURA’s unique ability to meet the voice latency requirements of RTCA DO-377B. Flights are planned in Mayville, ND, approximately 40 miles south of Grand Forks Air Force Base.
“Our partnership with AURA is a vital step in advancing UAS technologies,” said Trevor Woods, Executive Director of NPUASTS. “Its innovative communications solutions are pivotal for the safe integration of UAS into the national airspace. We look forward to collaborating on this important project to enhance airspace operations and ensure safer skies.”
AURA will provide a voice relay that enables a remote pilot of an unmanned aircraft to communicate with Air Traffic Control (ATC) as if onboard the aircraft, a critical factor for safe and effective airspace integration. Its network is designed to provide command-and-control and voice services, leveraging aviation-dedicated frequencies to enable beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) UAS flight. The NPUASTS supports UAS flight testing, including BVLOS flights, and offers access to facilities and assets throughout North Dakota.
“Our work with NPUASTS offers unparalleled opportunities to test and refine our communications solutions in a controlled yet expansive FAA-designated test environment,” said Kevin Steen, Chief Executive Officer of AURA. “We are eager to demonstrate how our technology can support the broader commercialization and safe operation of UAS across the nation.”
Sources: Aura; Northern Plains UAS Test Site