UAS Information Papers
One-page status reports on research conducted or being conducted regarding the safe integration of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) into the National Airspace System (NAS).
- Aircraft Safety/Safety Risk
- Airworthiness
- Command and Control
- Detect and Avoid
- Human Factors
- Operational Integration
Aircraft Safety/Safety Risk
Unmanned Aircraft Systems Ground Collision Severity Evaluation (PDF)
Purpose: The Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Ground Collision Severity Evaluation study will provide data to help inform:
- What are the severity criteria for Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) collisions, such as weight, kinetic energy, etc.?
- What is the severity of a UAS collision with person or property on the ground?
- How can the design of a UAS minimize potential damage during a ground collision?
- Can we categorize the severity of a UAS collision with a person or property on the ground based on the UAS and what would those categories look like?
Unmanned Aircraft Systems Airborne Collision Severity Evaluation (PDF)
Purpose: The Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Airborne Collision Severity Evaluation study will provide data to help inform:
- What are the severity criteria for Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) collision with an aircraft in the air?
- How can the design of a (UAS) minimize potential damage during a mid-air collision?
- Can we classify a (UAS) collision impact in a similar manner to a bird strike?
- Will a (UAS) collision affect an engine similar to bird ingestion?
- Can we categorize the severity of a (UAS) mid-air collision with an aircraft into categories based on the UAS and what would those categories look like?
Airworthiness
Certification Test Case to Validate sUAS Industry Consensus Standards (PDF)
Purpose: The certification test case will validate small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) industry standards and support standards development and certification strategies for sUAS, necessary for their safe integration in the National Airspace System (NAS).
Command and Control
Control Non-Payload Communication Testing for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (PDF)
Purpose: The Control Non-Payload Communication (CNPC) flight demonstration will prove the feasibility of using a small radio in a small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) airframe that allows flexible employment of sUAS, and answers the following question: Can a radio developed based on the RTCA Minimum Operational and Performance Standards (MOPS) be practical to use for all sUAS?
Secure Command and Control Link with Interference Mitigation (PDF)
Purpose: This research on Secure Command and Control Link with Interference Mitigation will test interference cancellation and mitigation techniques to establish secure communication between unmanned aircraft and the control station.
UAS Command and Control Link Compatibility (PDF)
Purpose: The UAS Command and Control Link Compatibility testing will complement the current validation efforts for Control and Non Payload Communications (CNPC) standards by evaluating the operating compatibility with other L-band avionics equipment.
Detect and Avoid
Unmanned Aircraft Systems Sense and Avoid System Certification Obstacles (PDF)
Purpose: The research will determine the certification obstacles associated with equipment and systems designed to satisfy the Sense and Avoid (SAA) requirement necessary to comply with the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) that apply to operating and flight rules, 14 CFR Part 91, and how a UAS would comply with those rules.
Detect and Avoid Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operational Assessment: Visual Compliance (PDF)
Purpose: This research will identify how a UAS will meet the need to visually comply with regulations and Air Traffic Control (ATC) clearances.
Unmanned Aircraft Systems Sense and Avoid Multi-Sensor Data Fusion Strategies (PDF)
Purpose: The research will determine the best SAA system architecture for UAS, allowing UAS to detect and avoid other aircraft, which may or may not have location transponders.
Surveillance Criticality for Sense and Avoid (PDF)
Purpose: The research on Surveillance Criticality for Sense and Avoid (SAA) will:
- Determine whether the current operational or technical performance requirements for a cooperative SAA solution based on Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) Out and/or transponders should change for SAA functions
- Determine whether Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) SAA functions can be carried out by equipage standards using current surveillance equipment
Integration of ACAS-X into Sense and Avoid for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (PDF)
Purpose: The research will answer the following question: What are the requirements/standards for UAS airborne Collision Avoidance Systems (CAS) to operate with other airborne CAS?
Purpose: Establish a testing methodology to evaluate various sUAS DAA systems and sensors. Insights from the tests will provide the FAA with the current state of DAA technology and areas of improvement. The research findings will inform ASTM DAA standards under development.
Purpose: Characterize recommendations for visual observer training standards, FAA risk assessments, and waivers for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations. This research will validate ASTM International standards for visual line of sight and inform guidance for BVLOS operations.
Human Factors
Unmanned Aircraft Systems Human Factors Considerations (PDF)
Purpose: The research will address human factors safety concerns that are unique to UAS, both in public use and civil operations as well as perform research that supports development of standards, regulations, and guidance for civil UAS. The four key research categories identified are function allocation, control station requirements, pilot training and certification requirements, and visual observer requirements.
Operational Integration
Unmanned Aircraft Systems Counter UAS/Airport Detection (PDF)
Purpose: This research assess the feasibility of integrating proven UAS mitigation technology with airport operations in order to detect, identify and track both the air vehicle and ground controller to explicitly identify the UAS without interference to existing airport operations.