Battle Creek Unlimited Selects ResilienX for MICH-AIR Beyond Visual Line of Sight System

Why It Matters

The project creates one of the nation’s most advanced BVLOS infrastructures, unlocking commercial drone use and accelerating advanced air mobility economic growth.

Key Takeaways

• ResilienX to build BVLOS sense‑and‑avoid system.
• $17M Michigan funding supports Battle Creek AAM hub.
• System enables public safety, logistics, manufacturing, defense missions.
• Scalable platform can expand across Michigan and national corridors.
• Operational launch targeted within 12 months.

Pulse Analysis

The partnership between Battle Creek Unlimited and ResilienX marks a significant step toward routine beyond‑visual‑line‑of‑sight (BVLOS) operations in the United States. ResilienX’s digital infrastructure combines cooperative and non‑cooperative surveillance, safety‑management software, and cybersecurity monitoring to create a sense‑and‑avoid system that meets FAA standards. By delivering an integrated physical‑digital environment, the company addresses the core barrier that has limited large‑scale drone deployments: reliable detection and de‑confliction of autonomous aircraft in complex airspace. The platform also integrates real‑time data fusion, allowing operators to visualize traffic and enforce geofences dynamically.

Battle Creek’s selection as a BVLOS hub leverages the city’s existing aviation assets, including the Battle Creek Executive Airport’s Class D airspace, the Michigan Air National Guard’s remote‑drone center, and nearby aerospace manufacturers such as Duncan Aviation. The initiative is backed by a $7 million state appropriation and an additional $10 million earmarked for aerial‑mobility infrastructure, underscoring Michigan’s “Make it in Michigan” strategy. These funds are intended to attract high‑skill jobs, stimulate local supply chains, and position the region as a testbed for advanced air mobility (AAM) services. Community stakeholders anticipate that the hub will spur ancillary services such as drone maintenance, training programs, and data analytics firms, further diversifying the regional economy.

Beyond the local impact, the MICH‑AIR BVLOS ecosystem is designed for scalability across the state and into national drone corridors. A repeatable, standards‑aligned framework enables multiple operators to launch services ranging from emergency response to last‑mile medical deliveries, accelerating the commercialization of eVTOL and autonomous aircraft. As more municipalities adopt similar infrastructure, the cumulative effect could reshape logistics, reduce congestion, and create a new layer of economic activity, cementing Michigan’s role in the emerging AAM market. Federal agencies are monitoring these deployments as potential models for nationwide policy, which could unlock additional funding streams and streamline certification pathways for future AAM operators.