Vigilant Aerospace
Vigilant Aerospace, of Oklahoma City, builds FlightHorizon, detect-and-avoid and airspace-management software for drones, based on two licensed NASA patents.
Founded in 2017 with 11 to 50 staff, it uses the FAA's ACAS X collision-avoidance logic, which is standards-based rather than machine learning. It launched an airport-awareness service in July 2026 and holds a place on a US Air Force contract vehicle, plus a civil onboard detect-and-avoid project with Oklahoma State University.
No verified deployments yet
Vigilant Aerospace is profiled in the companies register, but no deployment has been verified against published evidence. Records are added as evidence is reviewed and graded.
Products & Solutions
3 productsFlightHorizon COMMANDER
FlightHorizon COMMANDER is Vigilant Aerospace's cloud-based multi-sensor detect-and-avoid (DAA) and airspace management platform for UAS and advanced air mobility.
- Multi-source sensor fusion: ADS-B, radar, drone telemetry, Remote ID, FAA data
- Real-time 3D airspace visualisation with detect-and-avoid alerts
- Automatic avoidance maneuvers for BVLOS operations
- 100% detection rate in FAA-observed BVLOS flight testing at NASA Armstrong
4 more features
- Scalable cloud-based platform, mobile and fixed deployment
- Part 108 and Part 146 NPRM aligned (FAA BVLOS framework)
- Integrated with DeTect radar for comprehensive air traffic picture
- Based on 2 exclusively licensed NASA patents
Technical specifications (1)
- Cloud-based. Multi-sensor fusion: ADS-B, radar, drone telemetry, Remote ID, FAA ASDI. Machine learning. Based on 2 NASA-licensed patents. Integrates with DeTect surveillance radars.
FlightHorizon PILOT
FlightHorizon PILOT is Vigilant Aerospace's onboard detect-and-avoid system for Group II and Group III UAS, originally developed for USAF under an Air Force Research Laboratory contract (2024) and now in demand among civilian and commercial operators.
- Onboard detect-and-avoid for Group II and Group III UAS
- Originally developed for USAF AFRL, dual-use military and civilian
- Provides automatic self-separation for BVLOS operations
- Real-time situational awareness and avoidance maneuvers
2 more features
- Designed for long-endurance drone platforms
- Aligned with FAA Part 108 BVLOS rules
Technical specifications (1)
- Onboard DAA system. Sensor fusion. Machine learning for threat classification. Works with FlightHorizon COMMANDER ground infrastructure.
FlightHorizon (platform family)
FlightHorizon is Vigilant Aerospace's multi-variant detect-and-avoid (DAA) and airspace management software platform for uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS). Based on two exclusively licensed NASA patents (including U.S.
Enables unmanned aircraft to detect and avoid manned and other unmanned aircraft during beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations, addressing the primary safety and regulatory barrier to routine commercial UAS integration into the U.S. National Airspace System (NAS).
- Multi-sensor data fusion: ADS-B In, radar (cooperative and non-cooperative), Remote ID, ownship telemetry, FAA data feeds
- Real-time 2D map and 3D synthetic cockpit air traffic display
- Automated self-separation advisories with visual, on-screen text, and audible alerts
- Trajectory prediction and predicted loss-of-safe-distance calculation
8 more features
- Track correlation to remove duplicate aircraft tracks across sensor inputs
- Geofencing with altitude precision for restricted areas and ownship containment
- Configurable for ground control station (GCS) or onboard deployment
- Supports UTM/ADSP integration for networked multi-aircraft coordination
- Supports FAA Part 107.205 BVLOS waiver and Certificate of Authorization (COA) applications
- Machine learning applied to sensor fusion and situational awareness (per UND partnership)
- Available in server, laptop, or cloud-based configurations
- FLEET variant provides centralised cloud-based fleet logging and licence management
Technical specifications (8)
- Based on two NASA patents (including U.S. Patent #9,405,005)
- Integrates DeTect air traffic surveillance radars (confirmed at multiple deployments)
- Compatible transponder models include uAvionix, SageTech, and GDL-88/90
- TEMPO deployment at Oklahoma Air and Space Port covers approx. 5,000 sq km; planned expansion to 10,000 sq km with three DeTect radars
- PILOT-C: compact, low-power onboard DAA computer; Ethernet and/or USB connectivity; supports common autopilots and GCS interfaces
- Designed to meet RTCA SC-228 Phase II MOPS, compliance target, not yet formally certified
- Supports operations up to 10,000 ft AGL
- Supports Class B airspace operations under FAA COA
- Invited Test Partner, FAA ASSURE (Alliance for System Safety of UAS through Research Excellence) UAS Center of Excellence
- Member, NASA UAS Traffic Management (UTM) Collaborative
- FLC National Excellence in Technology Transfer Award 2017
- FLC Far West Region Outstanding Commercialisation Success Award 2016
- Operations conducted under FAA Certificates of Authorization (COAs) at multiple sites
TEMPO
Register notes
Notes held in the Aerostack register. Aerostack has not independently verified them.
Vigilant Aerospace is commercialising NASA-developed detect-and-avoid (DAA) technology through its FlightHorizon software platform, which enables both crewed and uncrewed aircraft to share airspace safely.
Read the rest
The company is positioned at the intersection of UTM (unmanned traffic management) and AAM (advanced air mobility) infrastructure, specifically the software layer that allows drones and air taxis to operate in civilian airspace.
Its Oklahoma base and state government relationships give it a first-mover advantage in a state positioning itself as a national proving ground for autonomous aviation.
The company is small (approximately 4 employees per PitchBook, though operational headcount is higher) and has grown primarily through government contracts rather than venture capital.
Key competitors in UTM software include AirMap (acquired), OneSky (ATC software focused), and Amazon Prime Air's UTM development.
USAF EWAAC IDIQ contract awarded June 2025.
TEMPO programme in Oklahoma launched March 2026.
Profile data from the Aerostack companies register; deployment records from the verified register. Evidence grades: T1 first-party confirmation, T2 credible reporting. See Our approach for how records are graded.