uAvionix, a provider of aviation technology for uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS), today announced the launch of Casia G Release 4.0, a software update that enables nighttime detection of aircraft and expands Casia G’s capabilities to support 24/7 Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) UAS operations.

With the software enhancement, Casia G unlocks BVLOS operations up to 400 feet at night. Casia G’s nighttime capability has already received an approval from the FAA for Fort Wayne Police Department, IN.

“The ability to safely operate our drones beyond visual line of sight—day and night—significantly improves our ability to respond to emergencies, conduct search and rescue missions, and enhance public safety,” Officer Matt Rowland of Fort Wayne Police Department Air Support Unit.

Casia G is the first ground-based detect-and-avoid (DAA) system to offer both cooperative and non-cooperative aircraft detection 24/7, supporting safer, more efficient (UAS operations. The new software upgrade requires no hardware modifications, making it an effortless enhancement for existing users.

“With Software Release 4.0, operators can detect aircraft, including small planes and helicopters, up to 16.7 kilometers away at night, significantly expanding operational flexibility and safety for operations,” said Jason Hardy-Smith, VP of Products at uAvionix. “This is crucial for many UAS operations, but especially Drone as a First Responder (DFR) programs and Search & Rescue as unfortunately, bad things often happen after dark.”

Key advancements in Casia G Release 4.0:

• Nighttime Detection: Detects both cooperative and non-cooperative aircraft at distances up to 16.7 km (10.4 miles), providing 360-degree airspace awareness for nighttime BVLOS operations.
• Accuracy and Coverage: For operations using multiple Casia G units, triangulation technology provides precise information about the range, altitude, and GPS coordinates of intruding aircraft. 
• Regulatory Approval: The Fort Wayne Police Department is the first department to receive approval to use Casia G for nighttime BVLOS operations without visual observers, up to 400 feet.

The advancements in Release 4.0 are the result of rigorous performance testing. Multiple FAA approvals for BVLOS operations are pending and expected to conclude shortly, supporting the operational capabilities of law enforcement and commercial entities alike.

“With Casia G’s nighttime detection, our department can deploy UAVs with confidence, knowing we have continuous airspace awareness and compliance with FAA regulations.”– Officer Michael Hickman of Fort Wayne Police Department Air Support Unit.

uAvionix is committed to innovation and advancing the integration of UAS into the National Airspace, ensuring that the skies remain safe for all users, day and night.