Advances in UAS Ground-Based Detect and Avoid Capability

Abstract

As a national UAS Test Site designated by the Federal Aviation Administration in 2013, the New York Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Test Site has developed an instrumented UAS test range, initially for ground-based collection and analysis of air traffic surveillance data in northern New York State airspace, and ultimately as a proving ground for operational UAS detect-and-avoid (DAA) systems. The test range instrumentation system employs multiple sensor types, including wide area multilateration, ADS-B, and networked 3-D primary radars, to track both cooperative and noncooperative air traffic. In addition to live air traffic surveillance, New York UAS test range capability is being upgraded to incorporate simulated and virtual air traffic – as part of the NASA Live, Virtual, Constructive, Distributed Environment (LVC-DE). This represents an extension of the original test range concept of operations, which was data collection to support verification and validation of UAS detect-and-avoid performance standards for RTCA Special Committee 228. In 2018 and 2019 New York is supporting development of RTCA minimum operational performance standards (MOPS) for ground-based radar systems. Through this effort, the test range has become a proof-of-concept for a future ground-based detect and avoid (GBDAA) system capable of supporting extended UAS beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations in the airport terminal area and in transition to en-route airspace. In enabling DAA, the system is designed to operate in combination with other air traffic surveillance sensors, including airborne sensors. In addition to data collection, a 3-D air traffic visualization system supports the test range. In 2018, research maneuver algorithms were incorporated in a visualization to provide guidance for UAS remote pilots to remain well clear of other air traffic. The paper describes a current 2019 test objective aimed at regulatory authorization to operate large UAS BVLOS operations in VFR-like airspace, as well as small UAS operations in very low level (VLL) airspace.