Choctaw Nation UAS Test Site, uAvionix Launch FCC-Authorized Operations

Landmark approval permits BVLOS operations using C-band radio frequencies, which may soon be used solely for UAS.

Wednesday, June 21, 2023 at 02:06 PM ET

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At the Choctaw Nation Emerging Aviation Technology Center, UAS take flight under uAvionix control. [Courtesy: uAvionix]

Key Takeaways:

The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma (CNO) and uAvionix have made history by launching the first FCC-approved Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone operations using C-band Command and Control (C2) airborne radios.
This development is a critical step for the drone industry, as the FCC has proposed dedicating C-band frequencies exclusively to Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), positioning this system as a potential future standard.
C-band C2 technology offers significantly extended range (over 100 miles from a single transmitter) and higher power capabilities, providing a more reliable and less congested alternative to current public spectrum frequencies for BVLOS flights.
CNO and uAvionix are opening their test site to businesses, aiming to help companies secure FAA waivers for applications like package and medical delivery by demonstrating the interference-free nature of C-band operations.

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On Native American territory in southeastern Oklahoma, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) stakeholders are charting the future of the industry.

The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma (CNO) Beyond Program is one of eight FAA-designated sites dedicated to testing beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone operations. This week CNO and its partner, uAvionix, launched FCC-approved BVLOS operations using uAvionix’s SkyLink C-Band Command and Control (C2) airborne radios.