Parallax supports the dynamically emerging advanced air mobility (AAM) industry by providing its expertise in AAM command and control; mobile systems, training, and simulation; low-altitude systems integration; research and development; and consulting.  

Advanced air mobility (AAM) is a new era of aviation and an emerging market that is transforming airspace technology as it applies to airborne travel, logistics, emergency services, urban and rural infrastructure, and more. It involves the brightest innovators, policymakers, and experts from industry, academia, and the government throughout the United States and the world to bring forth these technologies and capabilities for the benefit of society.

Parallax has aligned its AAM capabilities with multiple federal agency efforts, including the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the Department of the Air Force, to name a few.   

Parallax also manages the Ohio Federal Research Network (OFRN) program, which provides nondilutive funding to Ohio-wide small businesses and academic teams that are innovating technology that integrates unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and AAM operations into the U.S. National Airspace System.

Command & Control (C2) 

Parallax’s C2 capabilities involve utilizing the Vigilant Spirit software suite on our Mobile Test and Evaluation Center (MTEC), developed under contract with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and innovated with Parallax engineering support.  The UAS team at Parallax has been working with AFRL, other military services, and special operations units on the continuous integration of drones and UAS in operational and educational environments.  

Research and Development  

Parallax performs cutting-edge research using artificial intelligence and human-machine teaming that will enable the continuous development of complex autonomous systems and research intelligence. Our research enables humans, artificial intelligence, and autonomous or self-directed systems to work more effectively together by developing new ways for artificial intelligence to understand and respond to human goals, emotions, intent, and trust. Parallax seeks to expand the horizons of these scientific sectors and integrate them to define what we call the Science of Intelligent Teaming™. 


Recent Industry Impact 

Parallax had the privilege to work with NASA and the State of Ohio on the development of the Advanced Air Mobility Community Integration Considerations Playbook. The purpose of this playbook is to help communities understand the challenges and opportunities of advanced air mobility. 


Unmanned Systems Command and Control

Parallax develops cutting-edge command and control for a variety of autonomous systems. Our national and international test development and execution expertise includes test scenario development, airspace approval requirements, test execution, and post-demo analysis support.

Our test and evaluation of system performance and goal demonstration features a wide array of trained unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) pilots with Department of Defense sensor expertise and thousands of hours of simulation and flight demonstration experience. Our software development, vehicle interface expertise, and demonstration of multi-vehicle and sensor control make us a leader in this field. Furthermore, our work with the Air Force Research Laboratory Command and Control System Development is particularly noteworthy, as we were able to transform a test and evaluation capability for a single platform into a multiservice, multi-platform capability that is making its way into operational use. 


Autonomy/Unmanned Systems Command and Control (C2) 

Parallax operates a robust C2 program for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). Our UAS team has well over a decade of experience in UAS systems testing in support of the Air Force Research Laboratory and has conducted thousands of hours of testing in numerous environments. This includes work on the evaluation of advanced control and display systems for semi-autonomous, remotely piloted aircraft that is critical to the development of C2 systems that enable a single operator to control multiple UAVs. 

Our core capabilities include: 

Testing 

  • Control algorithms 

  • Autonomy 

  • Flight integration testing 

  • Hardware in the loop 

  • Human-machine teaming/interfaces 

  • Data Links 

  • Payloads 

Concept of Operations Development 

  • Surrogate or actual hardware 

  • Operationally relevant simulations and flight activities 


Mobile Test and Evaluation Center (MTEC) 

  • Self-contained and mobile 

  • Includes operator stations and networks for flight testing. 

  • Allows single operator control of multiple UAS simultaneously. 

  • Simulator/simulation capabilities 

  • Allows for an operator in the loop, testing, and development. 

  • Usable across Group 1–5: UAS testing, development, and evaluation 

 AAM Technical Lead

Executive Director, Aerospace Partnerships

Bob Tanner

 UAS Technical Lead

Director, UAS Business Concepts

Scott Swanson