Parallax’s advanced air mobility capabilities span research and development, low altitude airspace management system integration, infrastructure, and consulting.
Advanced air mobility (AAM) is a new era of aviation and an emerging capability that is transforming airspace technology as it applies to airborne travel, cargo shipping, and urban and rural infrastructure. It involves innovators, experts, and policy makers from industry, academia, and the government throughout the United States and the world to innovate AAM technologies and capabilities, such as unmanned aerial vehicles and systems, for the benefit of society.
Not only is Ohio the birthplace of manned flight but it’s also home to a vast network of advanced and applied research organizations, academic institutions, and entrepreneurial innovators who are developing next-generation technology to make manned and unmanned flight a safer reality for military and civilian applications.
Parallax Advanced Research, a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in Beavercreek, Ohio, is a leader in building collaborations between innovators in private industry, academia, and the U.S. Government that propels science and technology innovation fulfilling mission critical national security needs and developing Ohio’s innovation economy. Parallax is also an expert in AAM/unmanned aerial systems (UAS) research and development, low altitude airspace management systems integration, and consulting for policy, technology, and public acceptance.
Parallax manages the Ohio Federal Research Network (OFRN), which was statutorily created in 2015 to facilitate the collaboration of government, industry and academia in Ohio to expand Ohio’s cutting-edge research capability and create new economic opportunities for Ohio in the areas of defense, aerospace, energy, and health. Through management of this program, Parallax works with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), NASA, Naval Medical Research Unit Dayton (NAMRU-D), National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC), National Aeronautical and Space Administration’s Glenn Research Center (NASA-GRC), and the Ohio National Guard stakeholders on researching and developing AAM and UAS innovations in Ohio.
"The OFRN stands as a cornerstone for innovation in Ohio, fueling advancements in research and development that not only elevate our state's technological landscape but also drives economic progress,” said Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Mark Bartman, VP for Advanced Development, OFRN. “By fostering collaboration and harnessing cutting-edge technologies, we are not just preparing for the future—we're actively shaping it, ensuring that Ohio remains at the forefront of aerospace innovation."
Caption: Kent State’s hybrid fuel cell battery/capacitor power source for UASs.
One OFRN-funded R&D project led by Kent State University is a power source for UASs to extend flight time and increase payload capabilities. This novel technology improves the weight capability, transient peak power demands, and flight endurance of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Current commercially available onboard power source technologies are either too heavy, noisy, or offer too short of a flight time to support UAV vertical take-off and landing, 12-hour flight time, and quiet operations; the current flight time for drones is 20 to 45 minutes. Kent State’s power source technology relies on a fuel cell to extend the flight time and a battery pack and smart power management module to respond to the transient power needs of a drone simultaneously. In March 2022, the project team demonstrated that UAVs integrated with the onboard hybrid fuel cell battery/capacitor could carry heavier weight and fly in a continuous operation in a lab setting for 12 hours.
Caption: Cal Analytics’ interoperability in the modern UAS traffic management architectures.
OFRN also funded a project team led by Cal Analytics to develop a Contingency Management Platform (CMP) that enables beyond visual line of site (BVLOS) operations under different environment conditions. The software provides comprehensive airspace awareness and critical safety information for a ground-based pilot. In 2022, Cal Analytics began a partnership with the FAA UAS Test Site in New York to evaluate the unmanned traffic management platform.
Since its inception, OFRN has funded 41 research projects, of which 13 are focused on AAM science and technology. OFRN’s investments enable widespread adoption of unmanned aerial systems (UASs) and related technologies into the national airspace through its Sustaining Ohio’s Aeronautical Readiness and Innovation in the Next Generation (SOARING) Initiative. SOARING research topics include:
- Position, navigation, and timing
- Command and control
- Communications
- Intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance
- Sense and avoid systems
- Power and propulsion
- Energy storage and integration
- Human performance, human factors, and health sciences
- Materials and manufacturing
- Low-altitude airspace monitoring
View OFRN’s funded research projects here.
OFRN's role is to build research and development partnerships among academia, industry, and the government throughout Ohio and propel the state’s economic development by promoting and expanding these award-winning technologies. Indeed, many of the successful OFRN companies are now operating on a national level to assist industry with testing and integration of UAS and AAM vehicles into the national airspace system.
OFRN-funded UAS and AAM-focused research projects have also received follow-on funding from Agility Prime, which the Air Force’s transformative vertical lift program that is partnering with the electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) commercial industry to propel the third revolution in aerospace and start to field a new class of air mobility systems. The program is managed by the U.S. Air Force’s AFWERX directorate and aims to establish a leading position in AAM for U.S. industry. The Agility Prime program has invested tens of millions of dollars in vehicle and related system technologies critical to AAM. To boot, every team in the OFRN SOARING initiative had a partnership or a member that went on to participate in the Air Force Agility Prime effort.
Parallax contributes low altitude system integration expertise to AAM infrastructure development
Parallax is also involved in policy and regulatory discussions concerning the AAM mission, including consulting on a state and national level to assist local and state governments, in the adoption and rollout of AAM policies and strategies. The Parallax team of AAM and aerospace experts collaborate with NASA, the FAA, state legislatures, airports, industry, universities and community stakeholders to share input, feedback, and opportunities to advance this new mode of transportation.
Parallax recently collaborated with NASA and the State of Ohio to develop the Advanced Air Mobility Community Integration Considerations Playbook. The playbook addresses key considerations such as regulatory frameworks, infrastructure requirements, and public safety, providing a comprehensive overview that can guide communities through the integration process. It emphasizes the importance of stakeholder engagement, encouraging dialogue among residents, local governments, and industry players to ensure a smooth transition. By facilitating understanding and collaboration, the playbook aims to harness the potential of advanced air mobility to enhance transportation options, stimulate economic growth, and improve overall quality of life. As communities look to the future, this resource will be instrumental in shaping policies and practices that support sustainable and innovative air mobility initiatives.
“The commercialization of transformative technologies requires the integration of various technological advancements, regulatory frameworks, and practical applications,” said Bob Tanner, executive director, Aerospace Partnerships, Parallax Advanced Research. “With years of military experience, Parallax is uniquely positioned to leverage our expertise in AAM planning and policy. Our team’s deep knowledge in areas such as human factors, power and propulsion, low-altitude command and control, and airspace infrastructure development enables us to effectively transition DoD technologies into the civil and commercial sectors.”
View how Parallax supports the FAA UAS Integration Research Functional Framework here.
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About Parallax Advanced Research and the Ohio Aerospace Institute
Parallax Advanced Research is a 501(c)(3) private nonprofit research institute that tackles global challenges through strategic partnerships with government, industry, and academia. It accelerates innovation, addresses critical global issues, and develops groundbreaking ideas with its partners. With offices in Ohio and Virginia, Parallax aims to deliver new solutions and speed them to market. In 2023, Parallax and the Ohio Aerospace Institute formed a collaborative affiliation to drive innovation and technological advancements in Ohio and for the nation. The Ohio Aerospace Institute plays a pivotal role in advancing the aerospace industry in Ohio and the nation by fostering collaborations between universities, aerospace industries, and government organizations, and managing aerospace research, education, and workforce development projects.