Uncrewed aircraft systems traffic management expands beyond line of sight

Uncrewed aircraft systems traffic management expands beyond line of sight

by Clarence Oxford

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Dec 13, 2024

NASA is advancing its Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Traffic Management Beyond Visual Line of Sight (UTM BVLOS) initiative to meet the global surge in drone usage for various applications.

Drones, or uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS), are increasingly used for services ranging from package delivery to emergency response operations such as search and rescue. Presently, these flights are largely restricted to a pilot’s visual line of sight, limiting operations to roughly one mile. To enable broader use, NASA is collaborating with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and industry partners to develop and operationalize an uncrewed traffic management system for flights beyond visual line of sight.

Foundations of NASA’s UTM

The Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Traffic Management (UTM) concept was pioneered in 2013 at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley. This system facilitates the safe and efficient integration of drones into existing low-altitude air traffic by leveraging digital sharing of flight plans. This ensures all users maintain situational awareness of the airspace.

NASA has already tested UTM capabilities through flight demonstrations in both rural and urban settings. Many commercial drone companies have adopted these concepts for delivery operations in controlled environments.

Progress in Drone Operations

NASA’s research is pivotal in enabling routine drone delivery services. Since August 2024, NASA has supported commercial drone deliveries beyond visual line of sight in Dallas, Texas. These operations utilize UTM-based tools to share flight plans, detect potential hazards, and maintain situational awareness. The system enables safe coordination of operations in shared airspace below 400 feet, separate from crewed aircraft.

These Dallas-based operations, conducted with NASA, the FAA, industry stakeholders, and public safety entities, aim to validate UTM’s capabilities and inform FAA regulations for broader drone operations.

Expanding the UTM Vision

NASA’s collaboration with industry and government partners is set to grow, focusing on complex drone operations in diverse community settings. UTM technology is also being adapted for other cutting-edge applications, such as remotely piloted cargo delivery, air taxis, and high-altitude scientific missions. These advancements could enhance disaster response and expand scientific research capabilities.

UTM BVLOS Initiative

The UTM BVLOS subproject, managed under NASA’s Air Traffic Management eXploration (ATM-X) portfolio, is central to these efforts. It aligns with NASA’s Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Mission, which seeks to redefine transportation by elevating the movement of people and goods into the sky.