DronePort Network has issued its first Request for Proposals (RFP) after it was named lead designer and integrator for the Secure Autonomy Feedback and Evaluation Testbed (SAFE- T), a US project funded by the Economic Development Administration as part of the Tulsa THETA Tech Hub. SAFE-T will build an advanced and commercially available urban testbed to aid the safe deployment and scalability of autonomous technologies.
DronePort is looking for system design, system integration and data exchange support among other services to help build commercially scalable beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) airspace in the Tulsa metro area.
SAFE-T will build on existing Skyway Range infrastructure by adding additional UAS hardware, including aircraft tracking systems, communication systems, additional UAS-related IT systems, and weather monitoring and simulation systems. This hardware will be supported by additional software infrastructure including Uncrewed Traffic Management (UTM) solutions, a weather intelligence platform, cybersecurity monitoring tools, surveillance data fusion capabilities, command and control (C2) orchestration, and detect-and-avoid (DAA) systems. DronePort expects to issue multiple RFPs to capture the systems listed.
The Phase 1 RFP covers some of the initial project development needs as follows:
System Design
The design work involves the development of advanced, flexible infrastructure to enable scalable and secure autonomous operations. The system must process vast operational data streams from various autonomous platforms, ensuring these are cleaned, managed, and optimised for industry, regulatory, and research needs. Additionally, the system will incorporate cybersecurity “penetration testing” capabilities to validate the hardware and software used in autonomous operations.
System Integration
Integration of advanced sensors, radar, communication systems, data management tools, Detect and Avoid tools and a UTM Platform into a cohesive operational framework. The vendor should plan for the integration of various hardware and software products, many of which will be purchased during the early phases of SAFE-T and product specifics are unknown at this time. System Integration support will be over a four-year period.
Centralised Data Exchange
Vendor(s) will be required to have an existing, or be able to develop, a plug and play solution for accessing the related digital infrastructure. Access to the data exchange will be for a period of four years.
Safety Management System (SMS)
Development design and implementation of SMS to ensure safety assurance in complex multi-user autonomous environments.
UAS BVLOS Waiver Support and NTAP Support
DronePort states that it expects to enter the FAA’s Near-Term Approval Process (NTAP) to become a Supplemental Data Service Provider (NTAP). This will support the development of BVLOS waiver applications for two “pilot” SAFE-T mature commercial operators to utilise the Tulsa BVLOS airspace environment. The waiver will be in compliance with FAA regulations, using data-driven safety assurance processes.
Data Fusion
Development of systems to collect, clean, and integrate operational data streams from diverse sensor feeds in simulated and live urban environments. Data fusion support will be for a period of four years.
System Monitoring
The focus will be on ensuring the reliability, security, and operational performance of autonomous systems and data feeds within the testbed. This includes deploying advanced monitoring tools to oversee data streams from diverse autonomous platforms operating in live urban environments. Key components will involve automated real-time surveillance and analysis of communication systems, weather data integration, and system performance metrics to detect and address potential disruptions or anomalies. Additionally, the monitoring infrastructure will support interoperability across systems, enabling the safe coexistence of multiple operators in shared airspace. System monitoring support will be for a period of four years.
The RFP was issued on March 27 and responses are required by April 25. A selection announcement is expected in early May.
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