Sagetech Transponder Enables PAE ISR Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations in Civil Airspace
WHITE SALMON, Wash., Dec. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Sagetech Corporation once again proved small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) can safely fly in controlled airspace using the same technology that has helped maintain flight safety for decades.
A PAE ISR Resolute Eagle UAS, equipped with a Sagetech XPC-TR-50 Mode C transponder, successfully completed a mission in civil airspace on November 8, 2017. The flight took place at the Pan-Pacific UAS Test Range located at Pendleton Airport in Oregon while operating under an FAA Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA).
Resolute Eagle is a fixed wing tactical UAS that offers advanced performance for use in civil or military airspace. Without a transponder, the aircraft's small size makes it virtually invisible to Air Traffic Control (ATC). Sagetech's military-certified XP transponder eliminates this issue, allowing the Resolute Eagle unmanned airplane to operate safely while sharing airspace with manned aircraft.
"Sagetech is delighted that PAE ISR selected our transponder to demonstrate commercial capability of the Resolute Eagle UAS in civil airspace," says Kelvin Scribner, Sagetech's chief executive officer. "Sagetech's technology has been a key enabler of small UAS military operations for over 15 years and PAE ISR's flight from the Pendleton, OR airport marks another step as our products transition from military to civil use."
UAS operations are projected to increase sharply in civil airspace in the coming decade. This event signifies PAE ISR's ability to offer a dynamic platform to a broader customer set; successfully fulfilling U.S. commercial and civilian requirements in addition to U.S. military missions.
Aviation transponders are a key part of the system air traffic controllers use to maintain safe separation between aircraft. Moreover, small UAS are not detectable passively by ATC radars because of their small size. Sagetech's transponders allow even these naturally stealthy aircraft to integrate seamlessly with existing ATC radar systems.
About PAE ISR
PAE ISR LLC is a joint venture of PAE, American Operations Corporation (AOC), and Battlespace Flight Services, LLC (BFS) providing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance solutions and services to U.S. government agencies, NATO, and other international organizations. As a lead systems integrator and full-service provider for unmanned aerial systems, PAE ISR has significant experience in system integration, test and evaluation, operations and maintenance, logistics, training, deployment support, and leased UAS services.
About Sagetech Corporation
Sagetech Corporation, founded in 1998, provides miniature, certified avionics suited for use in drones as small as 10 lbs gross weight. Sagetech aviation transponders have long been used to facilitate military operations worldwide, logging over 1 million combat flight hours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Sagetech's products are trusted as standard equipment in most small military UAS worldwide.
Media Contact:
For Sagetech Corporation:
Patrick Maley, +1 (509) 570-1816, [email protected]
For additional information, please visit our website at sagetech.com
For PAE ISR:
Polli Ogilvie, +1 (703) 717-6175, [email protected]
Beth Beach, +1 (703) 677-6093, [email protected]
For additional information, please visit our website at PAEISR.com
SOURCE Sagetech Corporation
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