Oklahoma State University Gets FAA Authorization to Fly in Swarms

Oklahoma State University’s Unmanned Systems Research Institute (USRI) received its certificate of authorization from the FAA to permit flights of a fixed wing aircraft swarm within national airspace, making them the first in the country to receive this authorization.

This flight authorization will permit a single pilot, along with visual observers for safety considerations, to operate a swarm of up to 20 fixed wing aircraft. The unique configuration developed by OSU researchers creates a “swarm of swarms” where groups of unmanned aircraft fly within smaller flocks as part of a larger swarm, communicating with a local group leader which then coordinates flights with the overall swarm formation.

This research into swarming unmanned aircraft will advance unmanned aircraft capabilities into safe operation of autonomous vehicles within the national airspace and will find direct application into ongoing OSU research in weather, environmental and infrastructure monitoring, agriculture, security, and airspace operations.

Source: Oklahoma State University