Sagetech Avionics: Ensuring Airspace Safety through Advanced Technologies

September 30, 2024 | Dawn Zoldi

In the rapidly evolving world of uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and aviation technology, Sagetech Avionics stands at the forefront of innovation. Led by CEO Tom Furey, a former Naval Flight Officer, the company has dedicated its efforts to advancing airspace safety through cutting-edge technologies for the past five years. In this exclusive interview with Tom, we delve into the latest updates in the world of transponders, Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) systems and the future of integrated airspace. 

The Company & Its Leader

Dawn Zoldi: Before we dive into Sagetech Avionics, please share your background with us. 

Tom Furey: I started my career in the Navy flying airplanes off aircraft carriers, which was an incredible experience. After that, I transitioned into various roles in manufacturing, engineering and general management. About nine years ago, I joined Sagetech Corporation and fell in love with what we were doing, particularly in the area of micro transponders. In 2019, a few of us had the opportunity to lead the acquisition of the avionics assets of Sagetech Corporation and start Sagetech Avionics. We’re now approaching our five-year anniversary, and I’m absolutely thrilled about the work we’re doing. 

Dawn Zoldi: Tell us about the work that Sagetech Avionics does. 

Tom Furey: Our mission is to ensure safe airspace through advancing technology. We’re a small business with just over 30 people, but we’re extremely focused on creating robust systems and solutions for airspace safety. On the civil and commercial side, we’re working on beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) safety, so we can integrate UAS into the national airspace system (NAS) without compromising the existing aviation ecosystem. To do this, we create certified, or certifiable products to help integrate all aircraft safely in airspace. On the military side, we create Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) systems to ensure that when an aircraft approaches, we can quickly determine whether it’s friendly or a potential threat. These systems can prevent incidents like the recent Tower 22 drone attack in Jordan.  

Advancing DoD Airspace Awareness 

Dawn Zoldi: Let’s talk about your transponder technology and how you’ve made significant strides in miniaturization. 

Tom Furey: We’ve come a long way since the early days of transponders. Back in 2014, when we were still Sagetech Corporation, we certified the first micro transponder in response to a request by an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) that was making UAVs for the Department of Defense (DoD). They needed a way to make their composite or fiberglass drones, which were invisible to radar, detectable when returning to base. We developed a game-changing transponder, which was literally the size of a business card. We developed a circuit card and then packaged that into the XP transponder series. The DoD certification body, AIMS, certified this mini Mode A and C transponder. These are still flown today. Back then, they were standard equipment on almost every small drone that the DoD flew. 

Dawn Zoldi: Explain how you’ve continued to innovate transponders since that first one. 

Tom Furey: Our latest platform, the MX series, is about the size of a deck of cards and weighs just 190 grams. It’s a diversity (dual antenna) system, which means it can be used in crewed aircraft of any size, but it’s also small enough for many small drones. We’ve incorporated new technology like Mode 5, which requires different waveforms and more processing power. 

Dawn Zoldi: Please elaborate on the most recent developments in your transponder technology. 

Tom Furey: We’re currently working on the fourth version of the MX12B. Each version has built upon the previous one and added new capabilities. The V1 was the basic Mode 5 diversity micro IFF transponder, the first to be certified by DoD AIMS for Mode 5. V2 introduced Mode 5 Level 2B, essentially encrypted ADS-B, and was the first transponder of any size certified with this technology. V3 added the Mode 5 Level 2B receiver. Our latest development, V4, is built on the ACX-3000 platform, an upgrade to the MX platform. In addition to Mode 5 and Mode 5 Level 2B capabilities, it adds 978 UAT receivers, which is a US ADS-B frequency, along with much stronger processing power and more memory. This allows us to incorporate additional features like ACAS X (the latest Airborne Collision Avoidance System) and aircraft protocol translators into a single box. This enables secure recognition of friendly aircraft in crowded combat environments where standard ADS-B might not be used. 

Dawn Zoldi: Can this technology apply to military counter-UAS? 

Tom Furey: Our MX12B transponder, which is Mode 5 capable, is a crucial component in preventing fratricide and identifying friendly aircraft. However, for very small drones, even this compact device can be too large or expensive. We’re working with parts of the DoD to develop solutions that can make IFF capabilities accessible for smaller, disposable drones without compromising security. The ultimate goal is to automate counter-UAS operations. Currently, you can’t automate these systems because there’s no reliable way to distinguish between friendly and hostile drones. We’re developing ways to make IFF small enough, cheap enough and secure enough to not require onboard crypto, yet still provide a consistent solution compatible with NATO and allied forces. 

Commercial & Civil Successes 

Dawn Zoldi: It sounds like these advancements have applications beyond just military use. How does this technology translate to the commercial sector? 

Tom Furey: The ACX-3000 platform is incredibly versatile. For the civil sector, it can function as a standalone transponder. We’re already working with the FAA to certify it as such. We’re also incorporating our MXR Rangefinder software to allow it to function as a civil interrogator . This means that in one compact box, we’re offering a civil transponder, interrogator and ACAS X solution. It’s compatible with various radar systems for non-cooperative traffic sensing, making it an all-in-one detect-and-avoid (DAA) solution for BVLOS operations. 

Dawn Zoldi: Can you share any success stories or recent developments in how this technology is being applied? 

Tom Furey: One significant development happened in May of this year with American Aerospace Technologies Incorporated (AATI). They received a large-scale exemption from the FAA for their AiRanger platform, a 220-pound aircraft used for long linear infrastructure inspection. This exemption allows them to fly significant distances BVLOS without visual observers. The system uses our MXS transponder for ADS-B in and out, along with an ACAS X computer. While we’re not yet relying on the ACAS logic because we need more test cases to prove it to the FAA, the ADS-B presents situational awareness data to the operator. The aircraft also uses two Echodyne radars for all-weather detection of non-cooperative traffic. This exemption is a big step forward because it allows for the establishment of large areas of airspace where uncrewed aircraft can be trusted to fly BVLOS.  In this case with AATI, for us it was not just about advancing technology; it was about using our technology in practical real world applications to improve safety and efficiency in industries like oil and gas pipeline inspection. 

Future Impacts 

Dawn Zoldi: As we look to the future, what developments do you see on the horizon for Sagetech Avionics on the military side? 

Tom Furey: We continue to evolve our platforms to meet the changing needs of both the military and commercial markets. On the military side, we’re focusing on upgrading legacy fleets with modern capabilities, while also being able to use these same solutions for new digital aircraft. We’re also working on ways to adapt our technology to help automate counter-UAS solutions.  

Dawn Zoldi: What’s next for you on the commercial side? 

Tom Furey: On the commercial side, we continue to develop our ACX-3000 platform, which will serve as a very low-cost, low size and weight, fully integrated DAA solution for eVTOL partners. This can be used for pilot assistance or to enable autonomous BVLOS operations. We’re also developing a scaled-down ACX-2000 series platform, which will be more passive and geared towards smaller drones. This aligns with potential future regulations for BVLOS operations, where drones may need to sense and avoid aircraft transmitting their position, even at low altitudes. 

Ultimately, our goal is to create a comprehensive safety stack for airspace that includes onboard technologies that work in concert with ground-based systems like radars, cameras, and UTM (Unmanned Traffic Management) systems. We believe that having multiple layers of safety, including onboard ACAS X backup systems, remains crucial for the safe integration of uncrewed aircraft into the NAS. 

Dawn Zoldi: In what other ways does Sagetech Avionics intend to forge comprehensive safety solutions? 

Tom Furey: As I said, our ultimate goal is to create a comprehensive safety stack for airspace. This includes onboard technologies working in concert with ground-based systems like UTM.  

For example, our onboard ACAS X computers can process DAA logic locally, while also integrating UTM data. This creates a robust system where the aircraft can make informed decisions, even if communication with ground-based systems is temporarily lost. We’re also monitoring vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) or vehicle-to-anything (V2X) communication for drones. This would allow drones to communicate directly with each other as well as ground infrastructure, to further enhance situational awareness and safety. This capability is much further out, in terms of development timelines, but we’ll be ready to integrate it into our onboard and other solutions. 

Dawn Zoldi: How do you see these advancements impacting the broader aviation industry? 

Tom Furey: These technologies have the potential to revolutionize aviation as we know it. By enabling safe BVLOS operations for drones, we can help open up new possibilities for industries like infrastructure inspection, delivery services and emergency response. For crewed aviation, our advancements in transponder and IFF technology make the skies safer for everyone. The ability to quickly and accurately identify aircraft, whether crewed or uncrewed, friendly or potential threat, becomes even more crucial as our airspace becomes increasingly complex. On top of that, the miniaturization of these technologies means that even small drones can carry these sophisticated safety systems. This is a key step to integrate UAS into the NAS without compromising safety. 

Airspace Safety…Together 

Dawn Zoldi: As we wrap up, what message would you like to leave our audience with regarding the future of airspace safety and Sagetech Avionics’ role in it? 

Tom Furey: The key message is that airspace safety is a collaborative effort. At Sagetech Avionics, we’re committed to developing advanced technologies that enhance safety and enable new possibilities in aviation. But it’s not just about the technology – it’s about how that technology is integrated into the broader ecosystem of airspace management. We work closely with regulators, other industry players and our customers to ensure that our solutions meet real-world needs and contribute to a safer, more efficient airspace for all. As we move towards a future with more autonomous aircraft and increasingly complex airspace, this collaborative approach will be more important than ever. We aim to be at the forefront of this evolution by providing robust, reliable and innovative solutions that make the skies safer for everyone, from the smallest drone to the largest commercial airliner. We’re excited about the future and the role we can play in shaping it. 

Dawn Zoldi: Tom, how can people learn more about Sagetech Avionics and reach you? 

Tom Furey: We’re passionate about what we do at Sagetech Avionics and love talking to people about how we can make the skies safer and more accessible for all. The best way to reach us is through our website at: https://sagetech.com/contact/. 

Watch Tom Furey on the Dawn of Autonomy Podcast.