AURA Network Systems

AURA Network Systems is a company that builds aviation communication infrastructure in the United States. AURA stands for Advanced Ultra Reliable Aviation. Its office is in McLean, Virginia. The company aims to build a nationwide network that follows FAA rules.

The network uses licensed radio spectrum that is set aside for aviation. Spectrum means the radio frequencies used to send signals. AURA says these frequencies are the base of its network. The company also builds its own spectrum management tools and its own ground and airborne radio systems.

The goal is to allow higher levels of autonomy in the National Airspace System. AURA says this applies to both crewed and uncrewed aircraft. It wants to make autonomous flight more workable as a business. It offers secure, reliable data and voice communication services over its licensed spectrum.

The company was founded to solve one hard problem. That problem is how to run safe and scalable unmanned flights in the national airspace. The team combines aviation systems engineering, modern software skills and deep knowledge of telecommunications and spectrum, which are usually found in separate industries.

AURA has worked with the FAA. News items on the site mention FAA sponsored tests of flights beyond visual line of sight, known as BVLOS. They also mention a report on voice relay performance and an FAA contract on low delay communication for drones. The tests involved a group called NPUASTS.

AURA says its team members take part in key aviation regulators and industry groups. It was named among the top tech startups in Virginia in 2023 and 2024. It also won a Women and Drones company innovation award for 2023.

The AURA Network Systems website has pages on its network, its data and voice solutions, its news and its jobs. A short video explains the company in under 90 seconds.