Kansas City. February 14th, 2024. A city comes together to celebrate a Super Bowl victory, and the energy is electric. As crowds fill the streets, emergency responders stand ready - supported by an expanding ecosystem of air and ground assets. Within minutes of an unexpected incident, police drones lift off for situational awareness, sheriff’s UAS begin securing the perimeter, news helicopters orbit overhead, and medical helicopters request landing clearance. Even civilian drones enter the airspace, each with its own operator and intent. In moments like this, the question becomes clear: Who’s coordinating what’s flying where? How do responders maintain safe, efficient air operations while managing a complex, fast-moving emergency? This scenario isn't hypothetical anymore. It's history. Welcome to the visibility gap that's undermining emergency response across America.   The Power of a Common Operating Picture (COP)   Before we look up, let's examine what's already working on the ground. The concept of a Common Operating Picture (COP) has revolutionized emergency response coordination for terrestrial operations. A common operating picture is "a display of relevant information, enabling users in command and control to make accurate and informed decisions based on situational awareness."   Think of it as the difference between a dozen people shouting in a crowded room versus everyone reading from the same playbook. A COP means that personnel from all relevant organizations and locations have the same information, thus facilitating collaborative planning and execution of decisions.   The Department of Homeland Security  defines it even more precisely: "a continuously updated overview of an incident compiled from data shared between integrated systems." That's bureaucratic language for something beautifully simple: everyone seeing the same data in real time.   Case studies from places like Baton Rouge, Camden County, and Chicago consistently demonstrate that when you establish a common operating picture, you support a coordinated response among all collaborators who use the COP for decision-making. The results? Faster response times, better resource allocation, and most importantly, lives saved.   But here's where it gets interesting (and where many agencies are missing the boat entirely): these successes only account for what's happening on the ground.     Extended the COP Skyward   Enter the Common Operating Air Picture (COAP), essentially a "single pane of glass" for everything happening above 400 feet and below. If a traditional COP gives you eyes on the street, a COAP gives you eyes on the entire three-dimensional battlespace that emergency response has become.   We're not talking about some futuristic concept here. Right now, public safety agencies are already operating drones for search and rescue, medical deliveries, disaster assessment, and tactical support. The problem? These operations happen in isolation, creating what experts call "airspace situational blindness."   A proper COAP integration pulls together:   Low-altitude radar and sensor networks UAS flight and operator data in real-time Weather conditions and geofencing boundaries Command and dispatch system feeds Airspace restrictions and temporary flight zones Emergency helicopter and medical transport tracking   Imagine the warehouse fire scenario again, but this time everyone can see the complete aerial picture: where the police drone is conducting reconnaissance, the flight path of incoming medical helicopters, weather conditions affecting visibility, and temporary flight restrictions protecting the operation.   That's not just coordination. That's transformation.     Four Reasons Public Safety Can't Afford to Wait   1.     Situational Awareness Across All Domains (Because Reality Isn't Flat) Enhanced situational awareness is perhaps the most important benefit of a partnership-driven COAP. By integrating data streams and expertise from various partners, the system creates a richer, more detailed operational picture.   When you're managing an incident, you can't afford to think in two dimensions anymore. Real-time visibility of all aerial activity (both cooperative aircraft broadcasting their positions and non-cooperative threats that radar picks up) becomes part of your unified command structure. Ground operations inform air operations, and vice versa.     2.     Faster, Safer Drone Operations (Without the Guesswork) Here's a statistic  that should concern every public safety leader: most agencies operating drones today do so without knowing what other aircraft are in their operational area. That's not just inefficient. It's dangerous. COAP enables coordinated flight operations for search and rescue, disaster relief, medical deliveries, and tactical support. More importantly, it dramatically reduces the risk of midair conflicts and eliminates the communication failures that have plagued multi-agency responses.   3.     Interagency Coordination That Actually Works Different groups of first responders rarely use the same technologies to the point that they can't even communicate during crisis incidents. This communication breakdown isn't just theoretical. During the tragic Sandy Hook mass shooting,  over a dozen local, state, and federal agencies responded to the scene. However, they faced significant challenges due to the use of different communication tools.   A COAP provides shared access among police, fire, EMS, emergency management, and state partners through a unified interface. Instead of operating in silos, agencies build trust and collaboration through shared data. When agencies share mapping software, they can communicate using precise grid references that both parties understand, enabling them to coordinate response efforts with pinpoint accuracy.   4.     Data-Driven Decision Making (Because Gut Instincts Only Go So Far) Historical and live data support predictive analytics, risk modeling, and flight planning. When you can analyze patterns (where incidents occur, how weather affects response times, which flight paths work best for different scenarios), you are not just reacting to emergencies; you're anticipating them.     Learning from What Already Works (And What Doesn't)   The roots of this innovative tool  can be traced back to U.S. military special ops forces, who invented a mapping technique called Gridded Reference Graphics (GRGs) to navigate uncharted terrains. The civilian world has been catching up, and the lessons from successful COP implementations offer a roadmap:   Stakeholder buy-in drives everything.  Leadership support and user training determine success more than technology features. If your chiefs don't believe in it, your line personnel won't use it. Integration beats innovation.  Systems that consolidate data into one interface outperform stand-alone solutions. The fanciest drone in the world is useless if its data doesn't connect to your incident command system . Visualization translates complexity.  Map-based dashboards transform complex sensor data into actionable insight. Policy and governance ensure consistency.  Clear use protocols prevent the "wild west" scenarios that undermine system adoption and accountability.   Building the "Single Pane of Glass" for Airspace   What does COAP success actually require? Three foundational elements:   Interoperability across agencies and platforms.  Your system needs to talk to everyone else's system, period. No exceptions, no workarounds.   FAA-accepted surveillance networks and sensor fusion. This isn't just about having good technology. It's about having technology that meets federal aviation standards and integrates multiple sensor types into coherent intelligence.   Scalable, cloud-based dashboards for local to federal visibility.  Your solution needs to work for a small-town police department and scale up to state-level emergency management operations.   A key advantage of a partnership-driven COP is its inherent scalability and flexibility.  Such systems are designed to evolve, accommodating new technologies and expanding capabilities as needed. The end state? A unified, trusted, real-time view of the sky for every responder who needs it, when they need it.     Seeing the Whole Picture, Protecting the Whole Community   Critical incident mapping is more than a technological advancement; it's a commitment to public safety. The same principle applies to airspace awareness. As low-altitude operations become routine for public safety, the agencies that achieve a true Common Operating Air Picture will define the future of emergency response.   Think about where we are headed : delivery drones, air taxis, automated emergency response aircraft, expanded medical helicopter operations. The sky above our communities is becoming as complex as the streets below.   A COAP doesn't just turn complex airspace data into clear operational awareness. It empowers responders to act decisively in three dimensions instead of two. When seconds count and lives hang in the balance, that extra dimension of situational awareness isn't just nice to have.   It's essential.   As airspace becomes a new layer of public safety, the agencies that achieve a common operating air picture will define the future of emergency response.

NUAIR has been selected by the United States Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency as an approved vendor for participation in the Countering the Threat: C-UAS Industry and SLTT Grant Forum at George Mason University.

WASHINGTON, DC – November 12, 2025 –   NUAIR is honored to be selected by the White House and DHS/FEMA as an approved vendor for participation in the Countering the Threat: C-UAS Industry and SLTT Grant Forum  at George Mason University. This exclusive, invitation-only event brings together federal leaders, state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) decision-makers, public safety, and industry innovators to shape the nation’s future of drone threat mitigation and airspace security.   “We are incredibly honored to be recognized by the White House and DHS/FEMA, and included in this distinguished group of partners,” said Ken Stewart, President and CEO of NUAIR . “This opportunity reflects years of collaboration, testing, and validation that position our FAA-accepted network as a cornerstone for national airspace awareness. We look forward to supporting FEMA and SLTT agencies as they strengthen homeland security through advanced C-UAS capabilities.”   NUAIR’s surveillance capabilities directly support the goals of Executive Order No. 14305, the FEMA Counter-UAS Grant Program’s  to: Strengthen national preparedness  by equipping SLTT agencies with C-UAS Grant Program capabilities. Protect critical infrastructure, mass gatherings, and sensitive government operations from UAS threats. Support the deployment of fixed or portable systems for UAS detection, tracking, identification, and—where authorized—mitigation, consistent with applicable laws.   NUAIR delivers the nation’s first FAA-accepted and NTAP-complete airspace surveillance network, currently delivering  comprehensive situational awareness across more than 1,900 square miles  of active coverage with the ability to rapidly deploy similar capabilities to support the upcoming SEAR 1 and 2 events. NUAIR directly supports the grant’s scoring priorities through its FAA-accepted network – highlighting wide area DTIM Surveillance (i.e. Airspace Awareness) as-a-Service capabilities and multi-sensor fusion that supports both drone operations and counter-UAS awareness . This recognition by the White House underscores NUAIR’s trusted role in helping public safety agencies establish scalable, grant-compliant infrastructure for detecting, tracking, and identifying unmanned aircraft. As agencies prepare for high-profile national events like FIFA World Cup 2026  and America 250 , NUAIR’s Airspace Awareness-as-a-Service  provides a proven, interoperable foundation for mission-critical operations and national security resilience.   NUAIR remains committed to supporting State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial (SLTT)  agencies as they pursue funding and operational readiness under FEMA’s C-UAS Grant Program. Through collaborative demonstrations, technical consultation, and network integration, NUAIR empowers agencies to accelerate deployment of compliant, high-value airspace awareness capabilities. Agencies and partners interested in learning more can visit NUAIR.org .     About NUAIR NUAIR is a nonprofit driving economic development through innovations in UAS and Advanced Air Mobility to safely integrate into the national airspace. With support from Empire State Development and the State of New York and as one of the nation’s only FAA-accepted, NTAP-complete surveillance networks, NUAIR provides airspace awareness and safety assurance services enabling public, private, and defense operations.   With a rich history performing UAS testing and validation, investing in local and state economic development, and training public safety elite, the Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research Alliance, Inc. (NUAIR) is proud to be the catalyst to not only New York’s airspace innovation, but mobility advancement around the globe. Learn more at www.nuair.org .    NUAIR. Where Next Takes Flight. Media Inquiries | marketing@NUAIR.org

(and why “single-box” defenses keep losing to cheap, clever drones) Single sensors don’t win against small-UAS. Networks do.  If your counter-UAS (C-UAS) plan starts and ends with one sensor type then you are buying blind spots, false alarms, and slow decisions. The fix is a fused, open, mobile network that turns many partial truths into one trusted picture and one fast decision.   The threat has changed . So should your architecture. Drones are plentiful, affordable, and adaptable. They fly low, hide in clutter, spoof, go dark, and show up where traditional air defense isn’t looking. A point solution that shines in a lab rarely survives contact with weather, urban RF noise, dense crowds, and swarming tactics  – and those who work in this space know this firsthand. Reality check: RF-only  → misses “dark” drones, urban noise buries the signal. Radar-only  → tiny cross-sections + ground clutter = gaps. EO/IR-only  → line-of-sight, weather-dependent, brittle. Single-feed stacks  → easy to saturate, easier to fool.   What a multi-sensor network actually is. A deliberate, vendor-agnostic architecture  that fuses diverse modalities – RF, radar, EO/IR, acoustic, passive emitters, Remote ID, cooperative surveillance and those sensing systems in stealth mode (you know who you are) – into a single, de-duplicated track with confidence scoring and clear handoffs to effectors. Core ingredients: Open ingest  & APIs:  Vendor-agnostic interfaces and documented schemas so you can add sensors/effectors without a forklift upgrade. Time & geo truth:  Robust PNT, synchronized clocks, and site models (terrain/structures) to kill ghosting and double tracks. Identity management:  Blue-force exclusion, Remote ID, ADS-B/ATC overlays, and policy rules to avoid fratricide and false positives. Single-pane operations:  Detect → classify → track → decide/mitigate in one workflow, with role-based views for operators, LE, and command. Evidence & learning:  Chain-of-custody logging, AAR bundles, and exportable data for investigations and continuous improvement.    Design principle: Layered diversity  beats “perfect sensors.”  One sensor’s weakness should be another’s strength.   Operational design principles that win. Mobility as a feature:  Pack, move, and fight. VIP moves, pop-up venues, and convoys demand architectures that redeploy fast. Degraded-mode thinking:  Plan for GNSS issues, bandwidth constraints, and partial failures; prioritize essential data paths. Human-in-the-loop:  Use ML to triage and recommend, not to disappear the operator when stakes are high. Policy-aware  by design:  Build with clear CONOPS, authorities, and cross-agency coordination in mind from day one.   Metrics that actually matter (and how to test them). If you can’t measure it in the field, you can’t trust it in a crisis. Prioritize: Probability of detection & false-alarm rate  (by class, range, clutter level) Track continuity  (across sensors, handoffs, and maneuvers) Time to classification  and time to effect Geolocation accuracy  (CEP/R95 in real environments) Operator load  (alerts/hour, acknowledgments, intervention rate) Availability  (MTBF/MTTR across the full network, not just a node)   Instrument your demos to capture these, or you’re running theater  – not testing.   Buyer beware: “It’s a Trap”. Closed ecosystems  that lock you into one vendor’s roadmap and block future sensors. “Pretty UI, messy tracks”  → if fusion isn’t de-duplicating and scoring confidence, the map is lying to you. Bandwidth bombs  → uncontrolled video and radar volume that crushes the link when you need it most. No training/CONOPS  → operators get blamed for what the architecture never supported.   The roadmap from slide deck to field data. Assess : Threats, venues, and authorities; define decision-quality metrics up front. Integrate : Open interfaces; add sensors/effectors without breaking the stack. Stress : Real environments, moving pieces, adverse weather, and red-team tactics. Prove : Deliver an evidence pack (scores, tracks, AAR) people can act on. Iterate : Tune fusion, add modules, and harden for production.   Multi-sensor networks outperform single-sensor systems because they transform fragmented detections into a unified, trusted air picture – turning confusion into actionable clarity . In counter-UAS defense, resilience comes not from one perfect sensor but from many working together through open, mobile, and data-fused architectures. The future of winning the low-altitude fight belongs to those who design for integration, adaptability, and proof in the field – not promises on a slide.   ABOUT NUAIR Defense NUAIR Defense is the defense-division of NUAIR, marrying commercial innovation with rapid-deployment defense systems. We deliver a fused, vendor-agnostic services stack — taking tech from validation & certification to real-time operations and sustainment —that enables layered, mobile counter-UAS and advanced air-mobility defense architectures. Email contact@NUAIRDefense.org to schedule an operational validation sprint.

SYRACUSE, NY – October 7, 2025 – NUAIR (Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research Alliance, Inc.) today announced it submitted formal comments to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in response to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on “Normalizing Unmanned Aircraft Systems Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) Operations” .   NUAIR’s submission reinforces its commitment to the safe integration of drone operations into the national airspace , advancing secure and scalable UAS capabilities, and emphasizing the critical importance of collaboration between industry and government in realizing this vision.   “Unlocking the benefits of BVLOS operations requires more than technology alone – it demands alignment across federal regulators, industry innovators, and public safety stakeholders,” said Ken Stewart, CEO & President at NUAIR . “We are proud to contribute our perspective, drawing from more than a decade of operational experience and partnerships across the public and private sector.”   NUAIR credits the progress of its work to strong partnerships with federal, state, and industry stakeholders, including the FAA, which recently granted NUAIR a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) to support routine BVLOS operations through its safety infrastructure. The LOA marks a significant milestone in the evolution of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operations and demonstrates the FAA’s trust in NUAIR’s proven capabilities.   Building on its management of one of the nation’s most advanced instrumented operational airspaces, NUAIR continues to collaborate with organizations across aviation, defense, emergency response, and industry associations to shape the future of low-altitude operations. NUAIR also supports the broader drone ecosystem by engaging with national organizations such as the Commercial Drone Alliance , aligning with shared recommendations to streamline regulatory pathways while maintaining the highest standards of safety and security .   “Collaboration and safety are the foundation of airspace innovation,” Stewart continued. “The NPRM represents an important opportunity to ensure the U.S. leads the world in building a secure, efficient, and scalable drone ecosystem. NUAIR looks forward to continuing to work hand-in-hand with the FAA, TSA, and our many partners to make that future a reality.” Read NUAIR's full comments here . About NUAIR NUAIR is a nonprofit driving economic development through innovations in UAS and Advanced Air Mobility to safely integrate into the national airspace. With support from Empire State Development and the State of New York, NUAIR is empowering and enabling the next generation of aviation.   With a rich history performing UAS testing and validation, investing in local and state economic development, and training public safety elite, the Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research Alliance, Inc. (NUAIR) is proud to be the catalyst to not only New York’s airspace innovation, but mobility advancement around the globe. Learn more at www.nuair.org .    NUAIR. Where Next Takes Flight.     Media Inquiries | marketing@NUAIR.org

The acceptance letter means the FAA deems the New York-based company’s ground-based surveillance infrastructure meets the standards required for routine BVLOS drone operations in national airspace. Now any commercial organisation wanting to use uncrewed aerial systems can apply to use NUAIR's infrastructure thereby accessing a pre-approved safety case, said the company.

Oswego County is set to enhance its drone capabilities to support faster response times for boaters in distress on Oneida Lake. The ‘Drone as a First Responder’ Program is part of a new partnership with NUAIR.

FAA-accepted real-time airspace monitoring is live today – delivering safer, more cost-efficient flights for public safety and infrastructure missions. NIAGARA FALLS, NY – September 18, 2025 – NUAIR and the Niagara Military Affairs Council (NIMAC) showcased NUAIR’s fully operational Surveillance-as-a-Service (SaaS)  network in Western New York, demonstrating how agencies and departments can start flying safer and more economically right now – without lengthy buildouts or custom integrations .   During the event, state and local public-safety teams, infrastructure inspectors, and federal partners watched real-time low-altitude airspace data flow directly from NUAIR’s FAA-accepted sensor network , the same service already supporting live beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) missions across NUAIR’s 1,900-square-mile airspace in Central New York .   Attendees saw how the system delivers continuous aircraft tracking and classification, as well as seamless data feeds  through a single, secure interface. Agencies can use the service for day-to-day remotely piloted BVLOS drone operations including regional emergency management departments, bridge and waterway inspection crews, and critical-infrastructure operators. They can rely on NUAIR’s network to shorten mission approval timelines, reduce equipment costs, and simplify compliance with FAA safety requirements.   Plug-and-Play Airspace Awareness   NUAIR’s Surveillance-as-a-Service is designed for rapid adoption. A department can connect to the network and start receiving real-time airspace data within hours, not months  – no proprietary hardware or extensive IT support required. Public Safety: Fire departments and search-and-rescue teams gain immediate situational awareness to safely deploy drones in disaster zones or high-traffic airspace. Infrastructure Monitoring: Transportation agencies and engineering firms monitor bridge, pipeline, and waterway projects without deploying their own sensor infrastructure. Security Operations: Regional and national security stakeholders integrate airspace feeds directly into existing command centers for continuous low-altitude oversight.   “Surveillance-as-a-Service is not a concept – it’s operating today,” said Ken Stewart, NUAIR President & CEO . “Public safety departments, infrastructure operators, and private partners are using this service to launch BVLOS flights faster and more cost effectively. We make real-time airspace awareness as simple as turning it on.”   “This was more than just showcasing technology,” said Mike Zimmerman, NIMAC Chairman . “It was about demonstrating capabilities here in New York that local, regional, state, and federal partners can leverage to create safer skies and stronger communities.”   Start Flying Smarter – Today   NUAIR’s Surveillance-as-a-Service is scalable to any region that needs low-altitude airspace visibility . Agencies can subscribe to the data feed, integrate it with their existing drone programs, and leverage NUAIR’s fast pass to remotely piloted BVLOS drone operations.     About NIMAC The mission of the Niagara Military Affairs Council (NIMAC) is to support the growth and prosperity of the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station (NFARS) and its personnel, creating a positive economic impact on the Western New York Community.   Today NIMAC continues in the task of serving as a liaison between all levels of government and the NFARS. NIMAC is an apolitical and Hatch Act compliant organization allowing free communication between NIMAC, elected officials and military leadership. Learn more at www.nimac.org .     About NUAIR NUAIR is a nonprofit driving economic development through innovations in UAS and Advanced Air Mobility to safely integrate into the national airspace. With support from Empire State Development and the State of New York, NUAIR is empowering and enabling the next generation of aviation.   With a rich history performing UAS testing and validation, investing in local and state economic development, and training public safety elite, the Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research Alliance, Inc. (NUAIR) is proud to be the catalyst to not only New York’s airspace innovation, but mobility advancement around the globe. Learn more at www.nuair.org .    NUAIR. Where Next Takes Flight.     Media Inquiries | marketing@NUAIR.org

Why Syracuse, Upstate NY are the Tomorrow Land of the new drone universe. Guest Opinion by Justin Call

Highlighting the key players in the New York transportation space, including urban planners, labor leaders, industry advocates and other innovators rebuilding and rethinking New York’s transportation systems!

News Channel 9 connects with Ken Stewart, President and CEO of NUAIR to discuss the latest rule making from the Federal Aviation Administration. Understand what this means for industry, investors, the general public, and more.

The Hochul administration is looking to help craft the Next Generation Aviation Strategic Plan for New York so NUAIR joined David Lombardo on The Capitol Pressroom to discuss what the future of this evolving field might look like.