Thales taps Skyfire SF2 drone for advanced Vantis network testing

Specialized public safety and emergency responder consultancy Skyfire has announced its SF2 drone has been selected by Thales USA for its operations in North Dakota’s advanced UAV network.

Rolled out in 2022 as a drone created for the specific demands of public safety and critical sector operators, Skyfire’s SF2 will now be used by Thales for advanced testing of its navigation tech throughout the Vantis operational area. The North Dakota network is one of seven sites in the US with Federal Aviation Administration approval to test systems, flight and navigational procedures, and on-ground and aerial hardware as a means of integrating UAVs into surrounding airspace.

Skyfire’s SF2 can carry diverse payloads of up to 14 lbs. over a maximum of six miles – or 45 minutes – at top speeds of 55 mph. In addition to its capabilities as a dedicated public safety and first responder asset, Thales says it selected the 22-inch multirotor drone for its for its versatility and payload-agnostic design, which it will use for comprehensive testing of Vantis’ advanced airspace management tools and air traffic systems.

Thales says it has already taken its first deliveries of SF2 drones from Skyfire. It will begin flight activity as the northern spring weather becomes more hospitable to its extensive testing of instrument landing systems and other air traffic tech.

“Thales is proud to leverage its expertise as a systems integrator, collaborating with industry leaders like Skyfire to deliver comprehensive drone solutions for our customers,” said Sean Roy, UAS operations manager for Thales. “Vantis exemplifies this approach, and Skyfire’s innovative aircraft play a key role in our flight-testing efforts.”

Vantis is the only beyond visual line of sight drone (BVLOS) network in the US covering an entire state. It has relied on tech partners like air traffic control systems provider Thales to enable safe, incident-free flights across that vast area.

Thales has been active in designing, installing, and testing a vast system of ground-based sensors to permit secure BVLOS drone flights throughout Vantis since its inception. The company said the capabilities of the Skyfire SF2 to take on a variety of payloads was critical to its selection, since the drone will fly a range of sensors required for testing Vantis’ advanced UAV integration system providing safe and efficient airspace management.