Vigilant Aerospace Transforms Emergency Management Training at Camp Grafton

Vigilant Aerospace Enhances Training at Camp Grafton

On June 3, 2026, Vigilant Aerospace Systems successfully contributed to a National Guard emergency management exercise held at Camp Grafton Training Center, located near Devils Lake, North Dakota. Utilizing its advanced FlightHorizon systems—TEMPO and DEFENDER—the company enabled participating agencies to track both crewed and uncrewed aircraft in real time, thereby enhancing coordination among first responders.

The exercise was a collaborative effort, involving public safety agencies, military personnel, federal observers, and representatives from the University of North Dakota's John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences. The integration of FlightHorizon with various radars and transponder receivers allowed for the creation of a comprehensive 3D map displaying all aircraft present during the exercise. This dynamic visualization was crucial in facilitating search-and-rescue scenarios, which included fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, small drones, simulated aircraft, and ground response teams.

Paul Snyder, Assistant Chair and Director of Uncrewed Aircraft System Programs at the UND Aerospace program, praised Vigilant Aerospace for its support in enhancing the training's effectiveness. He highlighted that the advanced integration significantly improved situational awareness for managing air traffic, particularly in scenarios where crewed and uncrewed aircraft needed to navigate simultaneously.

The simulation aimed at establishing a unified operational picture across all participating units—ensuring seamless interaction among aircraft, first responders, and emergency management personnel. Such comprehensive airspace awareness is vital, particularly when multiple units, including helicopters, drones, and ground teams, converge at an emergency incident. The data-driven insights from FlightHorizon TEMPO facilitate better decision-making regarding aircraft launch, recovery, and flight paths, significantly reducing the risks of collision.

FlightHorizon TEMPO is designed for airspace management, integrating a variety of data sources, including radar and transponder signals, as well as telemetry from drone autopilot systems. Its counterpart, FlightHorizon DEFENDER, acts as a portable counter-uncrewed aircraft system (C-UAS), which alerts operators about unauthorized aircraft entering secured areas. It also distinguishes between known and unknown aircraft, ensuring a safer airspace.

Kraettli L. Epperson, CEO of Vigilant Aerospace, foresaw a promising future of aviation where crewed and uncrewed aircraft would operate in close coordination with ground teams. He emphasized that the systems developed by his company are pivotal in achieving real-time visualization and alerting for better coordination during emergencies.

As Vigilant Aerospace continues to advance its technologies, the importance of partnerships with emergency response personnel cannot be overstated. Such collaborations not only enhance training exercises like the one held at Camp Grafton but also fortify the safety and efficacy of real-world emergency management scenarios. For further inquiries or information regarding Vigilant Aerospace Systems, River Cordova can be contacted at [email protected] or via phone at (405) 445-7224.

About Vigilant Aerospace Systems

Vigilant Aerospace is a pioneering independent developer of multi-sensor detect-and-avoid technologies and airspace management software tailored for uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS). Their flagship product, FlightHorizon, leverages two NASA patents and integrates multi-source data to create real-time aerial traffic visualizations, as well as to execute automated avoidance maneuvers that prevent collisions. Based in Oklahoma City, Vigilant Aerospace is at the forefront of transforming aviation safety and efficiency for drone operations.