Oklahoma announces investment in AAM
February 8, 2025
The Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics (ODAA) has completed a contract for the state’s first airspace management system to support both drones and the emerging Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) industry.
Local company Vigilant Aerospace, based in Oklahoma City, has been chosen to deploy this advanced system, marking a key step toward establishing Oklahoma as a regional leader in drone operations and AAM technology.
Under the multi-year agreement, Vigilant will install the FlightHorizon system at the Oklahoma Air & Space Port at Clinton-Sherman Airport (pictured), a unique spaceport licensed by the FAA.
The system will integrate multiple mobile air traffic surveillance radars and provide functions like Uncrewed Traffic Management (UTM) for monitoring both cooperative and non-cooperative aircraft.
This system will also eliminate the need for chase planes in long-range, beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) flights of unmanned aircraft, enabling high-speed, high-altitude UAS operations.
The project is part of Oklahoma’s larger effort to foster the growth of unmanned and autonomous aircraft, including electric air taxis and autonomous cargo planes.
Funded by the Oklahoma Legislature through the 2022 Preserving Rural Economic Prosperity (PREP) initiative, it aims to create infrastructure for AAM and UAS testing across the state.
Grayson Ardies, executive director, ODAA, said: “This investment in systems and infrastructure for advanced air mobility and autonomous aircraft is one of several initiatives that demonstrate the state of Oklahoma’s commitment to being a national leader on the cutting edge of aviation industry technology.
“The traditional aerospace and defence industry plays a critical role in the state’s economy, and we are grateful for the opportunity to bring this new segment of the industry together with Oklahoma’s pioneering spirit to ensure our state stays at the forefront of the national conversation to develop autonomous aviation systems.”
