Low-Cost, Secure, Scalable, Networked, Low-Altitude Air Space Management System

The need to actively manage low-altitude airspace is critical to the widespread adoption of fully autonomous unmanned aerial systems.   Lighthouse Avionics, an Ohio venture capital-backed technology startup, was created specifically to address the needs identified above for integrated air management systems to support commercial fully autonomous beyond-visual-line-of-site operations for unmanned aerial systems.   Lighthouse has been working with key stakeholders such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Department of Justice, state of Ohio, and the City of Hilliard over the past year to implement a low-cost scalable airspace management system which will enable fully autonomous drone operations at local, regional, and statewide scales.  While focused on the commercial markets, this solution has application across the Department of Defense for various applications.   Whether providing airspace security or counter-drone detection, classification, and tracking, the Lighthouse Virtual Control Towers (VCT) provides a low-cost highly capable scalable networked solution for low-altitude airspace management.  The value across the Air Force is demonstrated by the diversity of organizations providing support to this project.  While a number of high impact projects were considered, the team identified Emergency Management operational support as the highest-priority and most value-adding solution which is needed across the Air Force.  Specifically, it was voiced by numerous stakeholders that the USAF has a service-wide need of an autonomous CBRNE and Emergency Management drone solution, supported by Lighthouse’s VCT commercial solution.   This solution will be employed by USAF EM professionals at bases both CONUS and OCONUS.  This proposal is targeted to the adaptation, development, and deployment of an Air Force version of Lighthouse’s fully autonomous First Responder drone solution, which enables safe operation through the use of the company’s Virtual Control Towers.  Lighthouse’s Virtual Control Towers (VCT) are a permanent or mobile solution that can be mounted to cell towers, masts, building rooftops, vehicles, or any other structure with line of site of the operating areas.  A VCT integrates optical (with optional radar), communication, acoustic and weather sensing into a single system. Onboard sensors and artificial intelligence software allow the solution to detect, track, characterize, and guide drones operating in the operational area. The VCTs are cost-effective and scalable; with the following technical specifications: Integrated optical, communication, acoustic, radar(optional), and weather sensing system; Drone ID receiver allows any drone to communicate its position to the towers; Up to 10km of