The Department of
Defense (DoD) is the largest operator of aircraft in the world; this includes having
the most experience in Unmanned Aircraft Systems UAS operations. Outside of the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DoD is the largest regulator of pilots
and aircraft, as well as manager of airspace. “There are three foundational
requirements needed for any aircraft (manned or unmanned) to integrate
routinely into the National Airspace System (NAS): airworthiness,
pilot/operator qualification and regulatory compliance” (USAF, 2012, Slides 4-
10). UAS airworthiness criteria is a critical requirement for gaining NAS
access.
Currently,
Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) is available in General
Aviation (GA) and military manned aircraft. Research is being done to determine
if an Autonomous ADS-B system is a viable technology to be used in UASs (USAF,
Slide 19). This system would be used as a sense and avoid tool to help the UAS
navigate through airspace and getting traffic reports from other aircraft
occupying the same space (manned or unmanned). In addition to ADS-B, the Traffic
Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS-II) system may also be a viable
option for traffic management and Detection and Avoidance (DAA).
Starting in
September of 2011, NASA has been working on a plan to integrate UASs into the NAS.
This project aims to reduce the difficulties and technical barriers of
introducing UASs into the airspace shared with manned aircraft. The project will
conduct system-level tests to address specific safety and operational
challenges and concerns of NAS access for UASs. The data gathered from these
tests will be provided to customers such as the FAA and RTCA Special Committee
203 (formerly the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics) (NASA, 2011). In
addition to testing for operational and safety challenges, the project will
focus on five specific areas of UAS integration: Separation Assurance,
Communications, Human Systems Integration, Certification and Integrated Tests
and Evaluation.
References
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