Drone Stakeholders Come Together to Plot Next Steps for UAS Integration
Betsy Lillian - Unmanned Aerial Online • February 20, 2019
CAL Analytics Participates in New York Drone Symposium to Move Industry Forward
More than 40 unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) stakeholders from 20 global companies recently came together with the Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research (NUAIR) Alliance to establish key objectives to move the UAS industry forward.
During a two-day conference in Syracuse, N.Y., they discussed what tests will help advance the integration of UAS into the national airspace system, as well as what use-case scenarios are needed to develop safety protocols and supporting technologies to fly beyond the visual line of sight (BVLOS). Additionally, they outlined how the development and enhancement of the federal UAS test site at Griffiss International Airport in Rome, N.Y., can be best used to achieve these goals.
As a result of this planning, multiple UAS traffic management (UTM) use-case scenarios will take place at the New York State UAS test site in the coming months. Each scenario will be broken into multiple phases, starting with simulation and moving toward live flights. Specific tests include as follows:
• Through the month of March, multiple UAS service suppliers (USS) will simulate flying BVLOS to a mock accident scene. This test will demonstrate how each USS technology communicates to one universal system to improve safety and efficiency.
• In April, the USS will move from simulations to live flights between Griffiss International Airport and Oriskany, N.Y. During these flights, the UAS will need to communicate with weather service providers to understand flight conditions and ensure safe flights. These tests will also introduce other unmanned aircraft, testing how they communicate with and avoid one another. One aircraft will be flown directly toward the other, and each will be forced to alter their course to avoid a collision.
• Testing of detect-and-avoid technology will continue through the month of May, including the introduction of non-participating drones (e.g., hobbyists or media in the area). This will help to ensure the safety of all involved during an event such as an accident.
“Each member of our alliance is looking forward to working on the key objectives we’ve outlined and contributing to NUAIR’s overall goals and vision,” says Major General Marke F. “Hoot” Gibson (ret), CEO of NUAIR, which manages the New York UAS test site.
Other drone industry stakeholders in attendance included AirMap, Akrobotix, ANRA, Assured Information Security, AX Enterprize, CAL Analytics, C & S Cos., Crown Consulting Inc., GE Global, JHU/APL, OneSky, Measure Inc., Raytheon, SAAB, SRC, Syracuse University, Thales, TruWeather Solutions, and Unifly.
Originally published by Unmanned Aerial Online.
CAL and AV Execute Multi-year Agreement with GrandSKY to Deliver Ground-Based Detect and Avoid for Group 1–5 BVLOS UAS Operations
The milestone strengthens CAL’s AtlasAI platform for safer, scalable BVLOS drone operations under the FAA’s proposed Part 108 framework.
COLUMBUS, OH (February 9, 2026) — Ohio continues to lead the nation in modernizing emergency response with the selection of nine public safety agencies to participate in the Ohio Statewide Drone First Responder (DFR) Pilot Program , a first-of-its-kind initiative designed to expand rapid aerial response capabilities across communities of all sizes. The program, led by the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and DriveOhio, with program management support from SkyfireAI, reflects Ohio’s commitment to equipping first responders with innovative tools that improve situational awareness, enhance officer and responder safety, and reduce emergency response times. The following agencies have been selected to participate in the pilot program: City of Springfield Police/Fire/EMS Athens Police Department Lima Police Department Toledo Police Department Violet Township Fire/EMS Austintown Fire Department City of Hamilton Police/Fire/EMS Amherst Police Department Kelleys Island Fire/EMS Together, these agencies represent a diverse cross-section of Ohio, spanning urban centers, suburban communities, and rural jurisdictions — reinforcing the program’s goal of ensuring access to advanced emergency response capabilities statewide. Many of the selected agencies have also committed to sharing drone resources with neighboring jurisdictions, further expanding the impact of this program. “Ohio is committed to giving our first responders the tools they need to protect lives and serve their communities safely and effectively,” said Governor Mike DeWine . “This statewide Drone First Responder pilot reflects Ohio’s leadership in innovation, our strong partnership with local agencies, and our focus on using technology responsibly to support public safety across the state.” Created under Ohio House Bill 96, the Ohio Statewide DFR Pilot Program enables participating agencies to deploy state-approved, NDAA-compliant drone systems capable of rapid launch, real-time video streaming to command staff, and integration into Ohio’s emerging uncrewed aircraft traffic management framework, led by Ohio-based CAL Analytics. “We are enthusiastic supporters of DFR program and thankful for the efforts of so many Ohio leaders to accelerate this program into the execution phase,” said State Representative Adam Holmes , who championed the program's inclusion in the bill. “The DFR program will greatly enhance first responder effectiveness and will provide increased support for all Ohioans. A tremendous capability for our priceless first responders.” “Ohio is leading the way for the nation with the first statewide DFR program! Our ODOT leaders are setting the stage for an integrated network of DFR assets that will undoubtedly save lives and resources and be a force-multiplier for our undermanned first responder organizations,” said State Representative Bernard Willis , Chair of the House Transportation Committee. “In Ohio, the HOME of aviation we are the BEST at making historic innovations with flying machines, and we will NEVER stop leading the way!” With technology known as drone-in-a-box, a drone can be launched from a permanent docking site and be flown remotely to a scene. These pre-positioned drones provide real-time visual information to aid decision-making, and some can also drop critical medical supplies to the scene of an emergency. The program emphasizes operational readiness, standardized training, and responsible use, while maintaining a strong focus on community engagement and transparency. “This program is about thoughtful implementation, not experimentation,” said Richard Fox, Director of the DriveOhio UAS Center . "By coordinating procurement, training, and regulatory support at the state level, Ohio is creating a scalable model that benfits communities of every size. We're grateful for the confidence the legislature has in ODOT to execute this groundbreaking program." SkyfireAI, a national leader in public safety drone program development and FAA regulatory integration, is supporting the initiative as program manager, working closely with ODOT, DriveOhio, and participating agencies to ensure consistent standards and successful deployment. “The selection of these nine agencies reflects the strength of Ohio’s public safety community and the seriousness with which this program has been approached,” said Don Mathis, Co-Founder and CEO SkyfireAI . "This pilot lays the foundation for how states can responsibly scale DFR programs today — and prepare for future capabilities as technology continues to evolve." Selected agencies will participate in a structured onboarding process beginning in early 2026, including hands-on vendor demonstrations, training, and program coordination. Operations are expected to begin in Spring 2026 and continue for approximately a year. The pilot program will evaluate operational effectiveness, response outcomes, and opportunities for future expansion. Ohio’s Statewide Drone First Responder Pilot Program has already drawn national attention as a potential blueprint for other states seeking to modernize emergency response while maintaining strong governance, safety, and public trust. ### About CAL Analytics: CAL Analytics is a small business focusing on the development of aviation and autonomous systems. Located in Dayton, OH and founded in 2010, CAL has expertise in navigation systems, remote sensing, signal analysis, and information fusion. CAL is a leader in UAS Traffic Management (UTM) and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) technology, offering airspace management, mission management, detect and avoid, and in-time system-wide safety assurance (ISSA) solutions. Our mission is to provide agile and rigorous approaches to bring new technologies to the world. More information at calanalytics.com About SkyfireAI: SkyfireAI is an AI-native drone technology company redefining mission-scale autonomy for public safety, defense, and enterprise markets. Our cloud-connected and edge-enabled software platform powers autonomous swarming, Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations, and real-time AI analytics—unlocking faster response, smarter decision-making, and safer operations. Built for scalability, SkyfireAI’s solutions deliver repeatable, high-value outcomes across thousands of missions, positioning the company to capitalize on a rapidly expanding global uncrewed systems market projected to exceed $100 billion by 2030. More information is available at skyfireai.com . About ODOT’s DriveOhio Initiative: DriveOhio is the state’s center for smart mobility, advancing connected, automated, shared, and electric transportation. The UAS Center, located in Springfield, OH, is the statewide resource for uncrewed aircraft systems testing, integration, and operations.
