Reliable Robotics, a leader in safety-enhancing aircraft automation systems, announced the addition of Davis Hackenberg as Vice President of Government Partnerships. Hackenberg’s previous role defining and driving the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) collaboration with industry aligns with Reliable’s dedication to partnering with research organizations, civil government stakeholders and regulators in the U.S. and around the world. His extensive experience in Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) enables him to translate business demand into technology products.

“Davis has unparalleled expertise spanning emerging aviation technologies and operations, and has a strong grasp of government partner needs,” said Juerg Frefel, Co-founder and CTO at Reliable Robotics. “His passion for pragmatic implementation of automation will help steer aviation towards a safer, more sustainable future.”

Prior to Reliable, Hackenberg spent 18 years at NASA where he led the AAM mission with responsibility for strategic and programmatic planning and management, global partnerships, systems engineering and airspace integration. Hackenberg is deeply integrated with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and domestic standards organizations such as RTCA, American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), as well as international organizations like International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). He has coordinated cross-agency working groups, strategic advisory groups, roadmapping efforts and transitioned key AAM technologies across industry and government agencies.

Hackenberg spearheaded NASA’s collaboration with industry in 2017 resulting in the use of airborne radar for Detect and Avoid (DAA) with approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a global first. This work, which began over 10 years ago, laid the foundation for multiple integrated DAA and Command and Control (C2) safety risk management panels and industry operational approvals.

“Reliable’s safety-enhancing technologies are the foundation of automated aviation and I’m excited to join a team making significant progress towards FAA certification,” said Davis Hackenberg, VP of Government Partnerships at Reliable Robotics. “As we collectively architect what the future will look like across the aviation ecosystem, Reliable has a unique opportunity to unify industry and government around automation that will improve aviation safety for everyone.”