uAvionix Files FAA TSO Application for World’s First Certified Drone Transponder

BIGFORK, Mont.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, uAvionix Corporation announced it has filed a Technical Standard Order (TSO) application with the FAA Aircraft Certification Office (ACO) for its flagship Mode S ADS-B OUT transponder for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). The ping200X follows a line of groundbreaking, low Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) avionics developed and certified by uAvionix for UAS and General Aviation aircraft. Approval is expected in Q4 2020.

Weighing only 50 grams, the Level 2els Class 1 transponder packs a punch, delivering 250W of transmit power while only drawing an average of 1.5W, making its profile small enough to be fitted onto Group 1 and 2 UAS.

ping200X will be certified to TSO-C112e (Mode S), TSO-C166b (ADS-B OUT), and TSO-C88b (altitude encoder), enabling airspace access, regulatory, and Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP) acceptance worldwide.

ping200X will be the first TSO Certified Transponder designed for the unique needs of UAS. With years of experience miniaturizing avionics for smaller, lighter, and less power consuming applications, uAvionix has made advancements to support longer flight times, higher payloads, and non-traditional aircraft designs across industries.

“Certified avionics support our customers’ needs in pursuing Type Certifications for their aircraft, gaining access to controlled airspace, or in meeting safety case objectives for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations,” said Paul Beard, CEO. “It’s a regulatory enabler, providing assurance to regulators, ANSPs, and manufacturers that the device performs as intended, while providing for safe separation for larger UAS operating in mixed-use airspace.”

Learn more at uAvionix.com/products/ping200X/.

About uAvionix Corporation

uAvionix was founded with the mission of bringing safety solutions to the unmanned aviation industry in order to aid in the integration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) into National Airspace Systems (NAS). uAvionix offers low SWaP TSO certified and uncertified avionics for General Aviation (GA), Airport Surface Vehicles, and the UAS markets. The team consists of an unparalleled engineering and management team with a unique combination of experience within avionics, surveillance, airport services, UAS aircraft development, radio frequency (RF), and semiconductor industries. uAvionix is backed by investors at Playground Global and Airbus Ventures.

To learn more about uAvionix manned and unmanned products, please visit: www.uavionix.com.

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