uas

US-based small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) solutions provider AeroVironment and SmartC2 will join Nasa’s unmanned traffic management (UTM) technology capability levels (TCL) 2 flight demonstration scheduled for October.

SmartC2 provides flight business management systems, including the browser-based VirtualAirBoss (VAB) service-oriented-architecture (SOA) software, which helps UAS service groups organise their business operations.

The proposed demonstration will build on results from UTM TCL1 field testing last August, as well as ongoing operational demonstration and field testing of AeroVironment’s Puma AE (All Environment) small unmanned aircraft system, to concentrate on beyond-visual line-of-sight operations in thinly populated areas.

"Puma AE is claimed to be the only small unmanned aircraft system with FAA restricted type certification for commercial operations over the US."

Through the demonstration, researchers will test technologies that help adjustments to airspace availability and contingency management, including onboard autopilot 3D geo-fencing, enhanced safety with back-up data link command and control, and ADS-B integration communicating via the SmartC2 VirtualAirBoss aviation business management system into Nasa’s UTM research platform.

Nasa, the US FAA and others are working to develop concepts and requirements for a UTM type structure in order to safely manage various UAS operations in the airspace above buildings and below traditional aircraft operations in suburban and urban areas.

AeroVironment noted that its Puma AE small unmanned aircraft system provides situational awareness directly to its operator in ground, riverine and maritime operations, and is capable of collecting data for terrain modelling, vegetation analysis and infrastructure management.

Launched by hand, Puma offers its operator portability, 3.5h of flight time and operational flexibility for real-world missions in routine and harsh environments.

Puma AE is claimed to be the only small unmanned aircraft system with FAA restricted type certification for commercial operations over the US.

In the integrated AeroVironment and SmartC2 package, the VirtualAirBoss solution connects the Puma ground control station and Nasa UTM research server.

During the UTM TCL2 demonstration, Puma’s asset and operational details, including all airframe identifying details such as size, weight, style, model, registration, payload, speed parameters, endurance, control modes, launch/recovery methods, lost link capabilities and flight history, will be captured organically in VirtualAirBoss.

These asset and operational details, along with personnel qualifications, availability and certifications, will be available to authorised VirtualAirBoss users and are included in any required or requested reports.

During the demonstration, position reporting will be required of all UAS operations within the US airspace and a public portal will inform general aviation, hobbyists and the public about relevant UAS commercial operations.

Image: The proposed demonstration will build on results from UTM TCL1 field testing ended last August. Photo: courtesy of AeroVironment.