For more than 20 years, Amit Ganjoo has worked in the fields of aviation and wireless telecommunications. He earned his bachelor’s degree in engineering from Punjab Engineering College in Chandigarh, India, before emigrating to the United States, where he earned a master’s degree in Computer Science and Civil Engineering from Iowa State University. Upon graduating, Amit, who is also a licensed pilot, gained experience working for both private and government agencies to develop and implement strategies for enabling secure shared airspace for drones. His experience includes serving as the chief systems architect for the US Navy’s 4G LTE Sea Pilot for the Expeditionary Strike Group, co-chairing the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Technical Advisory Council, and being a member of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Drone Advisory Committee.

With a passion for aviation, Amit founded ANRA Technologies in 2015. Headquartered in McLean, VA, within the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, ANRA specializes in airspace management technologies for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). As explained on the company website, ANRA provides “advanced platforms that integrate air traffic management, operational oversight, and regulatory compliance into a cohesive ecosystem.” With a global presence, including offices in the EU, UK, and India, ANRA is at the forefront of innovation in the UAS space, providing scalable solutions that are trusted by government agencies, commercial enterprises, and international partners. ANRA’s expertise spans a wide range of applications, from UAS Traffic Management (UTM) and Urban Air Mobility (UAM) to mission management for complex drone operations.

One of ANRA’s clients is the New York Power Authority (NYPA), the largest public state power company in the United States. NYPA operates 16 generating facilities and more than 1,400 circuit miles of power lines. To inspect and maintain utilities, NYPA deploys drones equipped with specialized cameras and sensors that can inspect power lines and generating facilities with optimal accuracy while minimizing safety risks and saving time and money. However, inspecting such a complex operation requires more than just sending up a drone to check things out occasionally. NYPA uses ANRA’s Mission Manager platform to streamline all drone operations into a cohesive and regular program. ANRA’s technology allows NYPA to safely and efficiently gather data with drones.

In a step to further promote advanced drone operations, ANRA announced on November 7, 2024, that the FAA had granted them a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) to begin using their latest technology with NYPA. This technology, which ANRA refers to as a strategic drone conflict detection and conformance monitoring service, would enable users like NYPA to fly drones Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS). BVLOS is widely considered one of the most important steps toward the safe integration of drones into shared airspace.

In the announcement, ANRA states, “The LOA granted to ANRA as a UAS Service Supplier (USS) was issued under the FAA’s Near-Term Approval Process (NTAP), designed to provide drone operators with expedited approvals for BVLOS operations. This special process is part of the FAA’s effort to advance UAS integration and increase safety through oversight while supporting industry advancements in air traffic technology and procedures. As a vital step toward enabling BVLOS flights on a more routine basis, the NTAP streamlines the typically lengthy approval process by focusing on solutions that meet rigorous safety and operational standards.” The company goes on to say that this LOA will be automatically available to any of its customers requesting BVLOS services with ANRA’s strategic drone conflict detection and conformance monitoring program.

“This is a first-of-its-kind LOA,” said Mr. Ganjoo. “By using ANRA’s strategic deconfliction services, NYPA not only demonstrates its forward-thinking approach but also prepares them for the FAA’s next drone rule, which will include airspace management requirements.” As the drone industry continues to evolve, ANRA Technologies remains at the forefront of innovation, paving the way for safer and more efficient operations in shared airspace. With its cutting-edge solutions and commitment to regulatory compliance, ANRA is helping organizations like NYPA embrace the future of unmanned aircraft systems. The FAA’s recent approval of ANRA’s strategic drone conflict detection and conformance monitoring service marks a significant milestone in the integration of drones into mainstream air traffic management, promising a new era of advanced, scalable, and safe drone operations across various industries.

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