Transport Canada approves Volatus Aerospace automated drone service

Transport Canada has issued a Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC) to Volatus Aerospace Inc., authorizing the company to conduct beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone operations using MatrixSpace’s radar technology integrated with Kongsberg Geospatial’s IRIS Terminal platform.

The certification allows Volatus to use MatrixSpace‘s compact, low-power radar system that can detect smaller aircraft including other drones. The technology is integrated with Kongsberg’s airspace awareness software and operated through Volatus’ remote Operations Control Center.

The system enables automated drone-in-a-box networks, distributed monitoring operations and autonomous services that require continuous detect-and-avoid capabilities. Market research indicates the global drone-in-a-box sector was valued at approximately $1 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $5 billion to $9 billion by the early 2030s, representing annual growth rates of 20% to 23%.

Volatus previously held nationwide SFOCs for BVLOS operations in low-risk airspace, atypical airspace, high-altitude missions and nighttime operations. The new certification expands the company’s ability to provide automated drone services for infrastructure security, utilities monitoring, industrial inspection, forestry operations, wildfire monitoring and environmental oversight.

The company has previously conducted approved BVLOS medical delivery operations at Halton Healthcare in Ontario. According to the comapny, the new certification builds on those capabilities by incorporating the detect-and-avoid system for broader commercial deployment.