Watershed Moment for UAS: Iridium Connected Drones from American Aerospace Granted First FAA Waiver for BVLOS Commercial Operations
On May 15, 2024, Iridium Communications announced a significant milestone in uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) operations, with its partner American Aerospace Technologies (AATI) receiving the first FAA waiver for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) commercial drone operations. This breakthrough enables AATI to perform remote aerial surveillance for a major oil and gas company in San Joaquin Valley using Iridium's low-latency L-Band satellite connectivity. This technological advancement allows large drones to conduct routine inspections of pipeline networks, enhancing safety and efficiency while reducing costs. Iridium's collaboration with Blue Sky Network has resulted in the development of the SkyLink 7100 terminal, providing continuous tracking, command and control, and Detect and Avoid capabilities. This achievement is expected to pave the way for broader adoption of BVLOS UAS in the National Airspace System, showcasing the practical application of innovative satellite communications technology.
- FAA waiver for BVLOS operations granted to Iridium's partner AATI.
- First-of-its-kind waiver for commercial drone operations in the US.
- Enables cost-effective and efficient pipeline inspection for an oil and gas customer.
- Iridium's low-latency L-Band satellite connectivity ensures reliable operations.
- Deployment of SkyLink 7100 terminal enhances remote Command and Control and tracking.
- Milestone expected to drive wider adoption of BVLOS UAS operations.
- Iridium's technology meets FAA requirements for right of way BVLOS operations.
- No specific financial figures or projections provided in the announcement.
- Potential risks associated with the overall safety and regulatory compliance in large-scale BVLOS operations.
Insights
The FAA waiver granted to American Aerospace Technologies for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations is a significant development in the unmanned aerial systems (UAS) industry. This waiver acknowledges that American Aerospace's AiRanger drone complies with industry-wide standards for Detect and Avoid (DAA) systems, a critical requirement for safe BVLOS operations. This is the first time such a waiver has been granted, marking a breakthrough that could greatly accelerate the deployment of UAS for commercial applications.
From a technical standpoint, the fact that Iridium Communications' low-latency L-Band satellite network underpins these operations is notable. The emphasis on reliable, cost-effective connectivity solutions tailored for large drones ensures that real-time data transmission and remote command and control (C2) are seamlessly handled. This level of dependability in satellite communication is essential for expanding BVLOS operations, particularly for use cases involving critical infrastructure monitoring.
Moreover, this waiver could serve as a benchmark, encouraging other companies to develop and deploy similar drones for various applications, not just in the oil and gas sector but potentially in agriculture, logistics and emergency response. Investors should keep an eye on how this could set new industry standards and foster broader regulatory acceptance, which in turn could expand market opportunities.
The collaboration between Iridium, American Aerospace Technologies and Blue Sky Network to obtain the FAA waiver for BVLOS operations is particularly noteworthy for its market implications. The oil and gas sector stands to benefit significantly from the advancements in drone technology, specifically in terms of cost savings and operational efficiency. By enabling remote aerial surveillance, companies can reduce the risks and costs associated with manual pipeline inspections.
For Iridium, the successful integration of its satellite communication technologies into the AiRanger drone establishes it as a key player in a rapidly growing market. This partnership demonstrates Iridium's ability to provide robust, scalable connectivity solutions that meet stringent regulatory requirements. As the UAS industry continues to expand, Iridium's position could strengthen, opening new revenue streams and fostering deeper industry collaborations.
Additionally, the ability to comply with FAA regulations could attract more investors looking to capitalize on the burgeoning UAS market. With the global UAV market projected to grow substantially in the coming years, this development could lead to increased demand for Iridium's satellite communication services, further bolstering its financial performance.
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
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
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