Belgium’s ScioTeq to Support General Atomics’ Detect and Avoid Program

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has selected Belgium-based ScioTeq to supply a certified processor and display for its Detect and Avoid (DAA) solution.

GA-ASI wants to earn Technical Standard Order (TSO) authorization from the FAA for its internally developed DAA system. This will help GA-ASI’s unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) achieve authorization to operate in non-segregated airspace, which will provide greater access for GA-ASI customers to conduct both military and civil missions. Certification of GA-ASI’s DAA capability is an important milestone for its new MQ-9B certifiable UAS. MQ-9B is designed to integrate safely and operate seamlessly in civil airspace, and the aircraft is fitted for the DAA system.

The partnership will introduce a new generation of visualization computing by incorporating ScioTeq’s certified Next-Gen PU-5200 Avionics Display Computer platform and Projected CAPacitive (PCAP) touch-based Rugged Display Unit RDU-4047 into GA-ASI’s Ground Control Station. ScioTeq’s MOSArt software platform facilitates the integration of GA-ASI’s DAA application on the ScioTeq hardware.

MQ-9B SkyGuardian is revolutionizing the long-endurance RPAS market by providing all-weather capability and certification with full compliance to STANAG 4671, the NATO UAS airworthiness standard. SeaGuardian is the maritime derivative of the MQ-9B and remains the first UAS that offers multi-domain Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Targeting (ISR&T) as an internal payload that can search the ocean’s surface and depths in support of Fleet Operations.

GA-ASI is striving to obtain the first ever TSO-C211/212 authorization by the end of 2025 using the latest guidance published in RTCA/DO-365/366, Minimum Operational Performance Standards for Detect and Avoid Systems.