FAA TSO Application Filed for World’s First Certified Drone Transponder

uAvionix has filed a Technical Standard Order (TSO) application with the FAA’s Aircraft Certification Office (ACO) for its ping200X Mode S ADS-B OUT transponder for unmanned aerial systems (UAS). Once successful, ping200X will be certified to TSO-C112e (Mode S), TSO-C166b (ADS-B OUT), and TSO-C88b (altitude encoder), allowing it to be used on type-certified civil aviation platforms and enabling airspace access, regulatory, and Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP) acceptance worldwide.

The low Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) Level 2els Class 1 avionics module weighs 50 grams, delivering 250W of transmit power while only drawing an average of 1.5W, making its footprint small enough to be fitted onto Group 1 and 2 UAS.

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 developed its technology to support longer flight times, higher payloads, and non-traditional aircraft designs across industries.

Paul Beard, CEO of uAvionix, commented: “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. 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.”