Vigilant Aerospace Systems, Inc. Market Research Report

Background

Vigilant Aerospace Systems, Inc., established in 2015 and headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, specializes in developing multi-sensor detect-and-avoid and airspace management software for uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS), commonly known as drones. The company's flagship product, FlightHorizon™, is based on exclusively licensed NASA technology and is designed to enhance flight safety and situational awareness for both manned and unmanned aircraft. FlightHorizon™ provides synthetic cockpit views, detect-and-avoid functions, and integrates various flight information to facilitate the safe integration of UAS into the national airspace system.

Key Strategic Focus

Vigilant Aerospace Systems focuses on enabling safe and scalable autonomous flight beyond visual line of sight. The company's strategic objectives include:

Core Objectives: Developing advanced airspace management solutions that ensure collision avoidance and situational awareness for UAS operations.

Areas of Specialization: Multi-sensor detect-and-avoid systems, airspace management software, and integration of NASA-patented technologies into commercial applications.

Key Technologies Utilized: Integration of multiple sensors, machine learning algorithms, and data sources to provide real-time situational awareness and collision avoidance capabilities.

Primary Markets Targeted: UAS operators, aerospace and defense sectors, government agencies, and commercial drone service providers.

Financials and Funding

Vigilant Aerospace Systems has secured funding through various channels:

Total Funds Raised: Specific figures are not publicly disclosed.

Recent Funding Rounds: In June 2017, the company closed a seed investment round with the Lubbock Angel Network, a Texas-based angel investor group.

Notable Investors: Lubbock Angel Network.

Intended Utilization of Capital: The funds are intended to support the commercialization of FlightHorizon™, including product development, testing, and market expansion efforts.

Pipeline Development

Vigilant Aerospace Systems is actively involved in the development and deployment of FlightHorizon™:

Key Pipeline Candidates: FlightHorizon™ software suite.

Stages of Development: The software has been tested in various scenarios, including beyond visual line of sight operations, demonstrating its capability to detect and avoid potential collisions.

Target Conditions: Enhancing flight safety and situational awareness for UAS operations in diverse environments.

Anticipated Milestones: Ongoing product enhancements and integration with additional sensor technologies to improve detection and avoidance capabilities.

Technological Platform and Innovation

Vigilant Aerospace Systems distinguishes itself through several technological innovations:

Proprietary Technologies: FlightHorizon™, based on NASA-patented technology, offers a comprehensive solution for UAS detect-and-avoid and airspace management.

Significant Scientific Methods: Utilization of machine learning algorithms and sensor fusion techniques to process data from multiple sources, providing real-time situational awareness and collision avoidance.

Leadership Team

The leadership team at Vigilant Aerospace Systems includes:

Kraettli L. Epperson: CEO and co-founder, with over 20 years of experience in technology entrepreneurship and a background in software and information systems.

Zach Peterson: Director of Business Development, leading go-to-market initiatives with over 20 years of experience in customer success and sales, primarily in the autonomous aviation and aerospace industries.

Jesse Smith: Senior Software Developer, with more than 20 years of experience in software development, including projects for the Department of Defense and Fortune 500 companies.

Tiffany Vanarsdel: Business Manager, overseeing operations including finance, contracts, and human resources, with over two decades of cross-industry experience.

Kendyn Webster: Director of Operations, a retired US Army Military Police Captain with extensive leadership experience, holding certifications in Full Stack Development and Project Management.

Leadership Changes

No significant leadership changes have been publicly reported in recent years.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The UAS industry is experiencing rapid growth, with increasing applications in sectors such as delivery, surveillance, and infrastructure inspection. The demand for advanced airspace management and collision avoidance systems is rising to ensure the safe integration of UAS into the national airspace system.

Competitor Analysis

Key competitors in the airspace management and detect-and-avoid software market include:

Pierce Aerospace: Offers Remote ID technologies and has partnered with Vigilant Aerospace to integrate Remote ID into FlightHorizon™, enhancing flight safety and compliance.

Vigilent: Provides data and communications interoperability solutions based on an open-architecture design, focusing on actionable intelligence for various applications.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

Vigilant Aerospace Systems has established several strategic partnerships:

NASA: Exclusive licensing of NASA's patent for detect-and-avoid technology, forming the foundation of FlightHorizon™.

U.S. Air Force: Selected as a vendor on the Enterprise-Wide Agile Acquisition Contract (EWAAC) to provide airspace management solutions.

UND Aerospace: Partnership to advance UAS education, research, and training, integrating FlightHorizon™ into their programs.

DronePort Network: Strategic partnership to provide airspace management at drone ports across the U.S., enhancing autonomous flight infrastructure.

Operational Insights

Vigilant Aerospace Systems maintains a competitive edge through its exclusive licensing of NASA technology, strategic partnerships, and a focus on rapid product development and deployment. The company's ability to integrate multiple sensor data sources and provide real-time situational awareness positions it favorably in the growing UAS market.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

The company is well-positioned to capitalize on the expanding UAS market by:

Expanding Product Offerings: Integrating additional sensor technologies and enhancing machine learning algorithms to improve detect-and-avoid capabilities.