uAvionix Corporation has filed a Technical Standard Order (TSO) application with the FAA Aircraft Certification Office (ACO) for its flagship Mode S ADS-B OUT transponder for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). The ping200X follows a line of low Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) avionics developed and certified by uAvionix for UAS and general aviation aircraft. Approval is expected in Q4 2020.
Weighing only 50 grams, the Level 2els Class 1 transponder delivers 250W of transmit power while only drawing an average of 1.5W, making its profile small enough to be fitted onto Group 1 and 2 UAS.
ping200X will be certified to TSO-C112e (Mode S), TSO-C166b (ADS-B OUT), and TSO-C88b (altitude encoder), enabling airspace access, regulatory and Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP) acceptance worldwide.
uAvionix says ping200X will be the first TSO Certified Transponder designed for the unique needs of UAS. uAvionix says it has made advancements to support longer flight times, higher payloads and non-traditional aircraft designs across industries.