Echodyne's EchoGuard airspace management radars were the ground-based sensor for the first-ever civil BVLOS UAS mission operated beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) flight without ground observers, according to the company. The ground-based sensors worked in coordination with Iris Automation's onboard detect-and-avoid system. The demonstration flight covered a nearly four-mile linear inspection mission of the Trans-Alaska pipeline was designed and conducted by The University of Alaska's Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration Pilot Program (UASIPP) and the Alyeska Pipeline Service Company.

The July 31 test deployment consisted of Echodyne radars along the pipeline path to provide airspace situational awareness and Iris Automation's computer vision collision avoidance technology onboard a Skyfront long-range hybrid multicopter drone.

"There are many applications that require operation beyond the operator's sight. This practical demonstration of detect-and-avoid technologies for a real-world inspection application helps aviation authorities define the sensors and tools necessary to ensure UAS safety for dozens of industries and applications," said Eben Frankenberg, Echodyne CEO.

The UASIPP program encourages government authorities at all levels to cooperate with drone operators and sensor technology manufacturers to accelerate the safe adoption of drones into the nation's airspace. The University of Alaska team has proposed several ways to use in Alaska including delivery of medical devices; search and rescue; fish and wildlife survey; and monitoring of pipelines, roads, and other infrastructure.