Autopilot platform innovator UAV Navigation is integrating Iris Automation's cutting edge detect and avoid Casia software into its advanced autopilot solution, VECTOR. UAVs equipped with VECTOR and Casia Detect and Avoid now have the ability to detect uncooperative crewed aircraft in their airspace and autonomously or manually take corrective action, avoiding potential collisions.

The integration comes as Iris Automation releases Casia Software v2.2. The release also includes improvements to performance, track fusion and flight data uploads. Casia Software is embedded in all Casia systems, and uses computer vision and artificial intelligence to detect and classify aircraft intruders, similar to human pilots.

VECTOR autopilots are specifically designed to execute flight completely autonomously, even if the remote-control datalink becomes unavailable or fails. They are used by a wide range of commercial clients flying rotary wing, target drone, fixed-wing, and VTOL uncrewed aerial vehicles, worldwide.

UAV Navigation specialises in the design of guidance, navigation and control solutions for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) also known as Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) or drones. UAV Navigation's flight control solutions are used by a variety of top tier aerospace manufacturers including high-performance tactical unmanned planes, aerial targets, mini-UAVs and helicopters. The company's autopilots carry out advanced functions, such as controlling multiple target drones at 700 km/h, a fully automatic net landing of a drone onto a moving vessel at sea and converting a twin prop manned aircraft or turbine helicopter into a drone.

Carlos Lazaro, Head of the Commercial Department at UAV Navigation said, "The pace of innovation around autonomous aerial vehicles is rapid as the industry recognizes the potential for creating value. Integrating Iris Automation's Casia detect and avoid technology into our VECTOR autopilot is another important step in the safety of autonomous flights for commercial operations. Our customers can now automatically command the drone to perform appropriate avoidance manoeuvres, resuming their original flightpath once completed."

James Howard, co-founder and VP of Technology and Innovation at Iris Automation added, "Partnering with UAV Navigation brings together two significant breakthroughs in safe, autonomous flight. Integrating autopilot systems with true detect and avoid, inclusive of uncooperative aircraft, is critical to enabling commercial operations at scale. Given the wide deployment of UAV Navigation's autopilot solution this is major progress in opening up the skies."