Stepwise Integration of UAS in non-segregated Airspace – The potential of tailored UAS ATM procedures

Abstract

Integration of UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) into non-segregated airspace remains a major goal to be solved for future acceptance of these systems in air transport. Up to now most civil and military UAS operations are taking place in segregated airspace so that collision avoidance and separation with other traffic is of no concern. To further enable the UAS operational scope, UA (Unmanned Aircraft) must be able to fly in airspace where other traffic is operating as well. This contribution is about possibilities of a stepwise integration of UAS in non-segregated airspace following the idea of the overall equivalent level of safety between manned and unmanned traffic. E.g. higher safety requirements for UAS specific ATM procedures (higher separation distances lateral and vertical) or adapted ACAS maneuvers and ACAS avoidance logic will relax requirements for e.g. the “Sense/Detect and Avoid” capability. The concepts are supported by a series of simulations that show how conflict potential between UAS and other traffic can be reduced without impacting manned traffic.