Auckland Airport

Operational Solutions Limited (OSL), based in the UK, are pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Airways New Zealand.

The main purpose is to build on the proof of concept drone detection system currently being trialled at Auckland Airport to jointly develop a world leading Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (CUAS) and Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) System.

This proof of concept system at Auckland Airport consists of the OSL Command and Control /Intelligent fusion software (‘FACE®’), Aveillant Gamekeeper holographic counter drone radar and AI enabled camera technology. As it evolves this system will be capable of detecting drones entering airspace that pose potential threats to airport operations, including the ability to identify the nature of the threat.

By combining this CUAS capability with a UTM product, in this case the Airshare system from Airways New Zealand, it will also be possible to facilitate and authorize drone flights to operate safely in the airspace around airports.

OSL is a world leader in the design, development and deployment of CUAS systems and was also recently confirmed as the prime contractor and system integrator for Heathrow Airport’s CUAS system in the UK (see https://osltechnology.com/news ). OSL’s CEO, Mark Legh-Smith, said “ we are delighted to be working with Airways New Zealand and Airshare to deliver a world leading combined and integrated CUAS and UTM system to make the use of drones and detection of rogue drones safer, more automated and simpler for all airspace users”.

OSL will be on the Airways New Zealand stand at the World Air Traffic Management Conference in Madrid in March this year. This will include demonstrations of the OSL FACE® system with integrated Airshare UTM. These demonstrations will be conducted via a live link to a layered sensor system in the UK (subject to weather and availability).