UAV & Drones
Oklahoma Advances Autonomous Aviation with FlightHorizon Air Traffic System
Oklahoma deploys Vigilant Aerospace’s FlightHorizon to enable safe BVLOS drone operations and expands airspace coverage at its Air & Space Port.
This article is based on an official press release from Vigilant Aerospace and public reporting.
In a decisive move to secure its position as a national leader in the unmanned aerial systems (UAS) sector, the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics (ODAA) has successfully deployed a cutting-edge air traffic management system at the Oklahoma Air & Space Port. The initiative, which began with a Contracts awarded to Oklahoma City-based Vigilant Aerospace in February 2025, utilizes the company’s FlightHorizon software to enable safe Beyond Visual Line-of-Sight (BVLOS) drone operations.
According to the official announcement, the project aims to replace traditional human “visual observers” with “electronic observers.” This shift allows unmanned aircraft to fly longer distances without the logistical burden of a chase plane, a capability essential for the commercial viability of drone delivery and advanced air mobility services. As of early 2026, reports indicate the system is fully operational and undergoing significant expansion.
The core of this infrastructure project is Vigilant Aerospace’s FlightHorizon command-and-control system. The Software creates a real-time “digital twin” of the airspace by fusing data from ground-based Radar-Systems and aircraft transponders. This allows operators to visualize and track air traffic across a vast area, ensuring that unmanned systems can safely coexist with general aviation.
The system’s reliability is rooted in its development history. FlightHorizon is built on two exclusively licensed NASA patents invented at the Armstrong Flight Research Center. According to technical specifications released regarding the project, these patents cover:
By acting as an automatic detect-and-avoid system, the software predicts flight trajectories and issues avoidance commands to pilots or autopilots, meeting critical FAA safety standards.
“Oklahoma understands the importance of the autonomous aviation industry for the state and our nation and is taking the lead… We are proud that our technology can serve as the cornerstone of this initiative.”
Kraettli Epperson, CEO of Vigilant Aerospace (Feb 2025)
While the initial contract was signed in early 2025, recent updates confirm the project has moved rapidly into the execution phase. According to operational reports from September 2025, the system was successfully installed and active at the Oklahoma Air & Space Port in Burns Flat, one of only 14 FAA-licensed spaceports in the United States.
During live training exercises conducted in late 2025, the system demonstrated the ability to correlate data from mobile surveillance radars (provided by partner DeTect, Inc.) and ADS-B transponders. This capability allowed instructors to monitor live flights alongside virtual scenarios, validating the system’s utility for complex training environments. Following the successful initial deployment, the coverage area is currently being expanded. Data indicates the sensor network is growing from an initial 5,000 square kilometers to approximately 10,000 square kilometers. This massive corridor is designed to facilitate long-range autonomous flight testing, positioning Oklahoma as a prime location for aerospace companies preparing for future regulatory shifts.
Structurally, the state’s oversight of this sector has also evolved. In July 2025, the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority (OSIDA) was merged into the ODAA, consolidating state aerospace and space oversight under a single agency to streamline operations and funding management.
The timing of Oklahoma’s investment, funded via the 2022 “Preserving Rural Economic Prosperity” (PREP) fund, appears strategically aligned with federal regulatory timelines. With the aviation industry anticipating the finalization of the FAA’s Part 108 rule in 2026, which will normalize BVLOS operations, Oklahoma is effectively building a “field of dreams” infrastructure.
By establishing the physical safety net (radars) and the digital framework (FlightHorizon) ahead of the rule, the state removes a significant capital barrier for private companies. Instead of building their own surveillance networks, Drones operators can plug into Oklahoma’s existing system. This approach not only attracts commercial drone delivery and air taxi firms but also complements Vigilant Aerospace’s growing portfolio, which includes a spot on a $46 billion U.S. Air-Forces contract awarded in June 2025.
What is BVLOS? Where is the system located? Who funded this project?
Oklahoma Cements Status as Autonomous Aviation Hub with Advanced Air Traffic System
Establishing a “Digital Twin” of the Airspace
NASA-Licensed Technology
Operational Status and Network Expansion
Expanding the Safety Corridor
AirPro News Analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
BVLOS stands for Beyond Visual Line-of-Sight. It refers to drone operations where the pilot cannot see the aircraft with their naked eye. Safe BVLOS is required for long-distance applications like package delivery, infrastructure inspection, and agriculture.
The system is deployed at the Oklahoma Air & Space Port at Clinton-Sherman Airport in Burns Flat, Oklahoma.
The project was funded by the Oklahoma Legislature through the “Preserving Rural Economic Prosperity” (PREP) fund.
Sources
Photo Credit: Vigilant Aerospace