Black Swift Technologies (BST) has established itself as a leading developer of advanced unmanned aerial systems (UAS), demonstrating significant federal market presence through multiple Phase I and II SBIR contracts with NASA, NOAA, and the Air Force [1]. The company's project portfolio spans from hurricane research to planetary exploration vehicles, showcasing their diverse technical capabilities.
BST's federal partnerships encompass several groundbreaking initiatives across multiple agencies:
- Machine vision automated safe landing systems
- AI-enabled predictive maintenance systems
- Venus atmospheric observation UAS design
- Hurricane research UAS with integrated SwiftFlow 3D Wind Probe
- AI-enabled GPS-denied navigation system for coastal mapping
- Aircraft design and control
- Payload integration and deployment
- On-board augmented intelligence
- AI, machine learning, and machine vision development
- ASPRS standards compliance for UAS mapping products
- FAA Part 107 Certified Operator status
- FAA Section 333 Exemption holder
Throughout 2024, BST achieved significant advancements in atmospheric research and hurricane monitoring, particularly through their work studying Hurricane Milton [3]. The company expanded its educational initiatives through a partnership with NASA's AREN and GLOBE programs, engaging students in atmospheric data collection [6].
- Selection by NOAA for hurricane research initiatives [2]
- Enhanced geoscience capabilities announced at UAS Geoscience 2024 [5]
- Expansion of atmospheric research initiatives under leadership of Jack Elston [4]
- UAS technology consulting
- Sensor integration
- Regulatory compliance support
- Operational best practices guidance