AURA Network Systems, a provider of secure and reliable communications solutions for the aviation industry, has announced that it has been awarded a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) contract to demonstrate and validate technologies in support of the safe integration of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) into the National Airspace System (NAS).
“We are honored 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.”
AURA will work closely with the Northern Plains UAS Test Site (NPUASTS) to demonstrate the company’s voice capabilities. Headquartered in Grand Forks, North Dakota, NPUASTS is one of seven FAA-designated UAS test sites in the nation, known for its innovation and results. The test site supports UAS flight testing, including BVLOS flights, and offers access to facilities and assets through collaborations with GrandSKY—the nation’s first commercial UAS business and aviation park, Grand Forks Air Force Base, the University of North Dakota, and other key partners.
Trevor Woods, Executive Director of NPUASTS, said, “Our partnership with AURA is a vital step in advancing UAS technologies. 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.”
Steen added, “Our work with NPUASTS offers unparalleled opportunities to test and refine our communications solutions in a controlled yet expansive FAA-designated test environment. We are eager to demonstrate how our technology can support the broader commercialization and safe operation of UAS across the nation.”
