Unmanned Cargo Operations at Airports: Influencing Factors, Potential Use Cases and First Possibilities for Implementation

Abstract

Unmanned air transport offers great potential for cargo operations with many use cases. However, no regulatory or operational framework for the integration in conventional air traffic is yet defined. This paper determines major influencing factors and provides first implementing possibilities for airport integration. In a first step, influencing factors for unmanned cargo operations at airports are identified, in which the focus is set on ground operations. All factors are evaluated, e.g. according to application spectrum or level of disparity to manned traffic. In a second step different use cases are described based on the identified influencing factors and results from user workshops. In the last step requirements are derived and discussed in relation to the use cases. The paper hence presents a catalogue of influencing factors for unmanned cargo operations at airports including an assessment of each. It covers aspects of the air vehicle, type of cargo and ground infrastructure, as well as the operational procedures for all parties involved. Furthermore, requirements for unmanned operations are defined and open issues are identified. The use cases defined cover together all major influencing factors for airport operations. With the catalogue of influencing factors, the identification of requirements and the definition of use cases the paper provides an essential basis for the development of a concept of operations for unmanned cargo operations at airports and with it for the successful and efficient integration of unmanned traffic into today’s air traffic system.