Sagetech Avionics, under the leadership of CEO Tom Furey, is revolutionizing airspace safety through advanced situational awareness technology for both manned and unmanned aircraft. The company, which emerged in 2019 through a strategic acquisition of Sagetech Corporation’s key assets, has established itself as a leader in developing critical safety solutions for the unmanned aviation sector.
Breakthrough Technologies for BVLOS Operations
Sagetech’s innovative approach to Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations is demonstrated through their certified transponders and prototype ACAS X collision avoidance systems. These technologies are already enabling groundbreaking commercial applications, such as Chevron’s drone-based pipeline inspection programs. Their systems integrate advanced transponders with onboard radar, allowing unmanned aircraft to conduct long-distance infrastructure inspections without requiring visual observers.
Military-Grade Solutions in a Compact Package
The company’s MX12B transponder exemplifies their expertise in miniaturization without compromising capability. Despite being only the size of a deck of cards and weighing just 190 grams, this transponder incorporates:
- Full civil mode compatibility
- Certified ADS-B receiver
- Encrypted Mode 5 IFF capability up to level 2B
- NATO standards compliance
- DoD certification
Next-Generation Innovation: The ACX 3000
Sagetech’s latest development, the ACX 3000 platform, represents their vision for the future of airspace safety. This system builds upon their existing technology with:
- Enhanced memory and processing capabilities
- Advanced collision avoidance functionality
- Integrated airspace safety solutions
- Improved detection of non-cooperative aircraft
Real-World Implementation Success
The effectiveness of Sagetech’s technology is validated through several significant deployments:
- Successful integration with Chevron’s BVLOS drone operations for pipeline inspections
- Partnership with Primoco UAV, enabling their Primoco One 150 to achieve Europe’s first Light UAS Operator Certificate (LUC) in the “Specific” category
- Implementation in military operations for enhanced situational awareness and friendly force identification
Looking Ahead
Sagetech continues to advance their technology portfolio, focusing on:
- Enhanced counter-UAS capabilities
- Automated air defense systems
- Seamless integration with military and civilian airspace requirements
- Supporting expanded BVLOS operations as regulatory frameworks evolve
As the unmanned aviation industry grows, Sagetech Avionics remains at the forefront of developing technologies that ensure safe integration of unmanned systems into shared airspace, serving both military and commercial applications with their innovative solutions.
