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A Fort Worth company that produces a line of lighter-than-air unmanned airships has earned a key certification from the Federal Aviation Administration, paving the way for widespread adoption of the technology.
Galaxy Unmanned Systems LLC, a TechFW client, earned FAA certification for the first set of its line of unmanned airships weighing more than 55 pounds, marking a groundbreaking achievement in Advanced Air Mobility, according to the company. Advanced Air Mobility, or AAM, is a new sector of the aerospace industry which aims to safely and efficiently integrate highly automated aircraft into the current airspace infrastructure, according to the FAA.
The FAA decision is important to Galaxy, but it also means other companies can begin development with similar technologies.
“This certification isn’t just a win for Galaxy—it’s a breakthrough for the aviation industry,” Galaxy CEO Jason White said in a statement. “Our lighter-than-air technology airships represent the future of unmanned systems, combining autonomy, sustainability and unmatched operational flexibility.”
The FAA approval covers Galaxy’s GC35-E2, GC35-E4 and GC50-E4 models – airships designed for extended operations, heavy payloads and integration into national airspace. The platforms open opportunities across commercial and defense applications, including:
Surveillance: elevated, wide-area monitoring for security operations.
Broadcasting: improved coverage for large-scale events.
Event security: safeguarding festivals, rallies and high-profile venues.
Counter-unmanned aircraft system operations: cost-effective detection and mitigation of rogue drones.
Disaster relief: delivery of communication and situational tools to areas hit by natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes or fires.
Search and rescue: enhanced aerial support for locating individuals.
Galaxy Unmanned Systems is led by brothers Tony and Jason White, who grew up flying remote-controlled aircraft, worked their way up through the commercial side of the unmanned aircraft systems industry, and then headed to the U.S. Department of Defense.
Their combined more than 40 years of work includes concept, design, manufacturing, certification, testing, payload configuration, subsystem integration, documentation, training and operations.
Galaxy’s certified airships are designed for industries requiring cost-effective solutions, and are uniquely suited for missions that traditional aircraft cannot fulfill, according to Jason White.
“With this certification, we’re excited to continue our conversations and move forward as a partner with commercial and government leaders to explore their needs and our possibilities,” he said.
Galaxy’s certification was a long process, going back over 17 years.
In 2007, the FAA suspended commercial drone operations in the National Airspace System, halting Galaxy’s early advancements in unmanned airship technology, according to Jason White. That decision left hundreds of pioneering companies, including Galaxy, in limbo.
“Momentum resumed in 2018 with regulatory updates, allowing exemptions for unmanned aircraft exceeding 55 pounds,” said Tony White, Galaxy’s COO.
Galaxy has worked with research partners from the University of Texas at Arlington in developing its technology.
Galaxy submitted its certification request in May 2024.
“The FAA’s approval is the result of a lot of employee efforts, diligence and patience,” Tony White said in a statement. “We hope to push the boundaries of air mobility, pave the way for innovative operations in restricted airspace, delivering solutions that are safer, smarter, and more sustainable.”
Bob Francis is business editor for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at bob.francis@fortworthreport.org.
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This article first appeared on Fort Worth Report and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
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