Oklahoma City-based Vigilant Aerospace has announced a new investment from Kluz Ventures through its commercial drone and robotics fund, The Flying Object (TFO).
Based in the Washington, D.C., area, TFO makes investments into U.S. and international unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) technology and service companies. Vigilant Aerospace’s product, FlightHorizon, provides UAS pilots, autopilots and airspace managers with a complete situational awareness and detect-and-avoid system. It integrates data from aviation transponders, airborne and ground-based radar, and other sources to provide airspace visualization, air traffic warnings and autonomous avoidance commands.
According to Vigilant Aerospace, the system is based on an exclusively licensed NASA patent and prototype that has been the subject of extensive flight testing. The product is currently in commercial test flights with select customers.
TFO is managed by Kluz Ventures, a global investment firm, which also manages funds focused on artificial intelligence, blockchain, fintech, medical technologies and digital health. Financial terms of the Vigilant Aerospace investment were not disclosed. TFO has also previously invested in Kittyhawk and Measure.
“Vigilant Aerospace is in a unique position to fill an important technical gap in the unmanned aerial systems market by delivering reliable, well-tested detect-and-avoid solutions for a range of aircraft and operations,” comments Artur Kluz, managing partner of Kluz Ventures. “We are excited to add this company to our investment portfolio, which is made up of the emerging drone technology companies that are making a significant impact on this rapidly growing industry.”
Kraettli L. Epperson, CEO and co-founder of Vigilant Aerospace, adds, “We are delighted to have the support and involvement of The Flying Object in Vigilant Aerospace and look forward to cooperation in bringing our industry-leading safety technology to an increasing number of ambitious commercial unmanned aircraft operations both in the U.S. and internationally.”
