Pierce Aerospace Secures Additional FAA Remote ID Research Award

Continuing Advances in Drone Safety Through Remote Identification

Pierce Aerospace, a dual-use aerospace technology firm, has received a follow-on award from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU). This marks the second recognition for Pierce Aerospace’s work in support of the FAA’s Alliance for System Safety of UAS Through Research Excellence (ASSURE). Additionally, the company proudly announced reaching a milestone of 100 million Remote ID detections.

Advancing UAS Safety Research

Aaron Pierce, CEO of Pierce Aerospace, shared his enthusiasm about the ongoing partnership with ERAU and the FAA. “We are honored to be selected to continue to aid in advanced research related to Remote Identification,” he said. This research initiative aims to expand Remote ID sensor deployment nationwide, enhancing safety across various types of airspace and airports.

The ASSURE program plays a crucial role in integrating UAS into the National Airspace System. “The initial effort saw our Remote ID sensors deployed across the country to sample airspace in rural, suburban, and urban areas,” Pierce added. This broad deployment has helped collect valuable data from a range of environments, benefiting numerous stakeholders.

Expanding Remote ID Impact

The follow-on grant will allow Pierce Aerospace to scale up their research, covering more cities and airports. “With this follow-on effort, we’ll expand the research to cover entire cities and even more airports, bringing more sensors across the country while making the airspace safer,” Pierce explained.

Ryan Wallace, Principal Investigator and Associate Professor at ERAU, emphasized the potential of Remote ID. “Remote ID is showing great potential to provide safety intelligence about the state of UAS operations within the National Airspace System,” he stated. The collaborative research effort, including Kansas State University, the National Institute for Aviation Research at Wichita State University, and the University of North Dakota, aims to enhance the safety and security of the airspace.

Cost-Effective Data for FAA

The cost-sharing aspect of these awards has enabled the collection of significant data affordably. “These awards are cost-share, and the cost-share approach generates significant data collection for the FAA that would have otherwise been cost-prohibitive,” said Pierce. The data gathered from the expanded deployment of sensors will provide even more insights, benefiting the FAA and the aviation community at large.

The Broader Impact of ASSURE

ASSURE comprises 30 leading research institutions and partners with over a hundred industry and government bodies, covering a wide array of research areas. These include air traffic control interoperability, UAS airport ground operations, and many more, positioning ASSURE as a cornerstone of UAS research and development.

Pierce highlighted the broader implications of Remote ID technology. “Remote ID is a fundamental technology for the success of scaling commercial UAS, and it is apparent that Remote ID is the most economically efficient and scalable airspace awareness technology out there,” he remarked. This research is vital not only for safety but also for enabling the commercial potential of UAS, demonstrating the FAA’s leadership globally.

About Pierce Aerospace

Based in Indianapolis, Indiana, Pierce Aerospace is backed by Techstars and serves as a prominent participant in several FAA committees. The company’s technology has received multiple accolades, including the Techpoint Mira Award for Indiana’s most innovative tech team.

For more information, visit Pierce Aerospace’s website.

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