The FAA has contracted Aura Network Systems to demonstrate and validate the voice-relay capabilities it is developing for pilots remotely operating uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) to effectively communicate with air traffic controllers.

Aura received the award via the FAA’s Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) program, which provides matching funds to companies seeking to test technologies the agency deems “essential” for UAS to safely integrate with the National Airspace System. Recipient companies have the opportunity to work at one of seven FAA-designated UAS test sites. 

To test its UAS communications platform, Aura is partnering with the Northern Plains UAS Test Site (NPUASTS) in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The flight test campaign at NPUASTS will focus on evaluating voice quality and intelligibility as well as end-to-end latency as ground pilots converse with ATC, according to Aura.

NPUASTS supports beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) flight testing, and it offers convenient access to the Grand Sky commercial UAS research and development park located at Grand Forks Air Force Base.

“Our work with NPUASTS offers unparalleled opportunities to test and refine our communications solutions in a controlled yet expansive FAA-designated test environment,” said Aura CEO Kevin Steen. 

Founded in 2019, Aura has developed a dedicated communications platform that supports both UAS and traditional piloted flight operations. The network provides command-and-control (C2) communications services for remote pilots to operate uncrewed aircraft from ground control stations, and its ultra-low-latency voice relay services allow the pilots to communicate with ATC with minimal risk of delays or overlapping transmissions.

“Our integrated solution of both the data pipe and the voice relay offers a significant advantage in meeting RTCA's stringent voice latency requirements,” said Steen. “This award represents a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to support the entire aviation ecosystem while enhancing airspace management.”

Aura has already demonstrated its communications links in flight tests using a Cessna Caravan equipped with the company’s airborne radio and voice communications module. Those flight tests, conducted over Maryland and Ohio, simulated BVLOS regional air cargo operations.

In addition to communications networks, other FAA BAA award recipients have focused on aspects such as situational awareness sensing technologies, detect-and-avoid capabilities, uncrewed air traffic management software, and cloud-based fleet management systems for operators. Other recipients include Reliable Robotics, Anra Technologies, Merlin, and Honeywell Aerospace.