ResilienX Selected to Deliver BVLOS System for MICH-AIR Hub

ResilienX, a provider of digital infrastructure for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations, has been selected by Battle Creek Unlimited (BCU) to develop the ground-based sense and avoid system for MICH-AIR, an Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) hub under development at Battle Creek Executive Airport (BTL).

ResilienX’s system will enable remote and autonomous aircraft to operate in Battle Creek and beyond. Under the agreement, the company will deliver an integrated physical and digital operating environment that supports routine BVLOS operations across the Battle Creek region. The multi-year program establishes Battle Creek as one of the United States’ most advanced hubs for scalable uncrewed and AAM operations.

Integrated BVLOS Ecosystem for MICH-AIR

The project will deploy a fully integrated BVLOS ecosystem combining cooperative and non-cooperative surveillance, digital airspace services, and aviation-grade safety assurance. Once operational, the MICH-AIR BVLOS environment will support applications including public safety, infrastructure inspection, medical logistics, advanced manufacturing, and future defense and security missions.

The BVLOS system being delivered by ResilienX forms a central element of BCU’s MICH-AIR initiative, which is intended to attract aerospace investment and create high-skill jobs in Battle Creek.

The BVLOS system being deployed in Battle Creek is designed to be scalable across Michigan and beyond. It will expand over time to support additional operators, new mission profiles, and integration with future state and national drone corridors, establishing a regional capability that few US airports currently offer.

Joe Sobieralski, President and CEO of Battle Creek Unlimited, commented, “This project is about more than enabling drone flights. It is about creating sustainable infrastructure that allows companies, agencies, and researchers to operate safely, at scale, and with confidence. Partnering with ResilienX accelerates our vision for MICH-AIR and strengthens Battle Creek’s role in the future of aviation.”

Andrew Carter, CEO of ResilienX, added, “Battle Creek is making a deliberate investment in infrastructure, not experiments. MICH-AIR is building a repeatable, standards-aligned BVLOS environment that supports real operations, real users, and long-term economic growth. This project reflects exactly how regions should approach advanced air mobility.”

Building a Scalable AAM Hub in Michigan

In 2018, BCU received a grant from the Michigan Defense Center (now the Michigan Office of Defense and Aerospace Innovation) to assess the city’s capacity to support AAM, including electric Vertical Take-off and Landing (eVTOL), remote, and autonomous aircraft. The study concluded that Battle Creek is well positioned to attract AAM investment due to its airport infrastructure, available air and ground capacity, existing company base, strategic location, and community assets.

In 2023, BCU secured a US$7 million appropriation in the 2024 Michigan State Budget. The ‘Make it in Michigan’ budget also included US$10 million for advanced aerial mobility and drone infrastructure projects, including vertiports, drone hubs, drone ports, and last-mile delivery.

Battle Creek Executive Airport is a Class D general aviation facility with ample airspace capacity and more than 200 acres available for development. Western Michigan University’s College of Aviation is based at BTL, training pilots and aircraft mechanics, and the Michigan Air National Guard’s 110th Wing operates a remote drone operations center at the airport. Additional tenants include Duncan Aviation, WACO Aircraft, and Junkers Aircraft. Adjacent to the Fort Custer Industrial Park, the largest industrial park in Michigan, BTL is expected to serve as a key spoke for AAM manufacturing in the state.

ResilienX brings experience from FAA-approved Ground-Based Sense and Avoid (GBSAA) programs, state-scale BVLOS deployments, and ongoing commercial and government operations nationwide. In December, the company announced a collaboration with Michigan Central in Detroit to demonstrate its ORION-X system, which provides on-demand drone flights.

Initial deployment in Battle Creek is underway and will progress through system installation, regulatory approvals, and operational demonstrations. The BVLOS system is expected to be operational within 12 months.

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