Unmanned Systems Technology 026 I Tecdron TC800-FF I Propellers I USVs I AUVSI 2019 part 1 I Robby Moto UAVE I Singular Aircraft FlyOx I Teledyne SeaRaptor I Simulation & Testing I Ocean Business 2019 report

NASA is entering the final stage of testing its Unmanned Aircraft Systems Traffic Management (UTM) platform (writes Nick Flaherty). UTM is an essential element in allowing safe beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operation of UAVs. NASA has been working on the technology for operations in a city, at an altitude of 200-400 ft, and the challenges of BVLOS in urban areas. The system is based on the digital sharing of each user’s planned flight details, giving them all the same situational awareness of airspace, rather than relying on ADS-B transponders to identify a UAV. Tests in spring 2018 focused on technologies that will help keep UAVs at safe distances from each other and flying in their designated zones, detecting and avoiding other UAVs over moderately populated areas. The final tests, from May to August this year, will study how the UTM system can integrate UAVs into urban areas. This has to address obstacles, various weather and wind conditions, reduced lines of sight, reduced ability to communicate by radio and fewer safe landing locations.  It will use more localised weather predictions in flight planning, cellular phone networks for UAV comms and data from cameras and radar to allow UAVs to manoeuvre around buildings and land when necessary. For example, every UAV will need to know how to make a safe landing under unpredictable conditions, for example to make way for a fire department UAV responding to an emergency. These landing spots can be pre-programmed but there’s no way of knowing ahead of time if there will be a parked car or people standing there. One technology being tested allows a UAV to use its camera to detect pedestrians or vehicles and, if necessary, move on to the next safe place. After August the research will be transferred to the Federal Aviation Authority to issue implementation guidelines. City safety system due Airborne vehicles UAV systems will be tested in urban environments as part of the UTM system over the next few months