Technology Milestones - Detect, Sense & Avoid for Unmanned Aircraft Systems

Abstract

[Abstract]. Collision avoidance represents an essential step towards operating Unmanned Aircraft Systems in civil airspace. These systems have broad scope, and yet the necessary sensors and algorithms have not been thoroughly evaluated. An extension of modeling and simulation is recommended, along the path used for manned aircraft collision avoidance. The paper also discusses safety evaluations and the work of a standards committee. I. Introduction Regulatory authorities are being asked to accommodate the anticipated uses of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in civil airspace. As of yet there are no regulations stating requirements uniquel y applicable to UAS. These systems have not demonstrated the ability to meet all requirements for mixing with other airspace users, and thus the approvals to this point have required segregated air space or other extraordinary means of assuring safety. As for any new operation or system, a proposal to fly within civil airspace must address all aspects of safety, particularly those related to the lack of an onboard pilot who could see -and -avoid other traffic. Much progress has been made in constructing and f lying UAS. Various concepts for collision avoidance also have been demonstrated, but the work falls far short of comprehensively proving its safety in the national airspace system (NAS). This paper discusses key issues for the main functions within collis ion avoidance, identifies challenges in advancing the current state -of -the -art, and addresses the applicability of several methods and tools that have been accepted for modeling and evaluating the safety of collision avoidance for manned aircraft. Issues particular to UAS and the types of additional work required to extend the evaluation methods to UAS are discussed. One notable example is the need to prove safe and effective collision avoidance capability over a broader set of hazards, such as avoidance of non -transponding aircraft.