UAS Integration into the NAS
NextGen and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Traffic Management System (UTM) are future advancements for the National Airspace System (NAS). These new technologies will be used to help create a highway in the sky for both manned and unmanned systems to fly together in a ballet of air traffic. NextGen is a system of systems designed to work together to increase the safety and efficiency of the NAS.
UTM is a system that will enable automated, safe, and efficient low-altitude airspace operations (Boyle, A., 2020). UTM provides services like airspace, corridors, geofencing, weather avoidance, terrain avoidance, and other services that are typically provided to manned aircraft flying in the NAS (Boyle, A., 2020). UTM will allow for unmanned aircraft to integrate with other unmanned aircraft and manned aircraft in the NAS. This will help with integrating the two aircraft types inside the same congested airspace.
NextGen is a system of systems designed to create large scale air traffic control over digital networks. NextGen will use satellite-based navigation that provides more precision over ground-based navigation systems. Satellite navigation aids assist the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in creating more efficient flight routes. NextGen will also allow for digital communication from controllers to pilots direct to the cockpit instead of using the current Line of Sight (LOS) frequency methods.
Detect, Sense, and Avoid (DSAA)
As seen in figure 2, the FAA is looking to move towards a Detect, Sense, and Avoid (DSAA) system. DSAA can be completed using different potential methods. The intent behind DSAA is to allow for unmanned and manned aircraft operations inside the NAS with safe separation as they share the same airspace and altitudes. One possible implementation of DSAA is onboard equipment on the UAS that can continuously scan the airspace for other airborne objects. If the UAS detects and object, this information is relayed to the pilot so they can determine if action is needed.
Another possible implementation is ground-based detection in which radar or a shared network like ADS-B will show when airborne objects are nearby each other. This system will then inform the crews of the aircraft that there is a potential threat. This will allow the crews of the unmanned or manned aircraft to decide if action is needed.
UAS lost link scenarios
The vision for UTM is to have Unmanned Aircraft (UA) operators submit contingency plans in the event of a loss of command link. Loss of command link can mean loss of uplink, loss of downlink, or both. Loss of command link contingency plans must be submitted to the FAA so they can plan around a UA flight plan. The plan must include the pilot's telephone number and expected response to a loss of command link (FAA. 2020).
UAS integration in uncontrolled airspace
The UTM is designed to create an environment for unmanned aircraft to fly among manned aircraft and other unmanned aircraft safely. As seen in figure 3, UTM is designed to allow for UAS to fly in Class G airspace as long as the operator is following the rules established by the FAA. The UTM system is designed to be automated to allow UAS operators to request and integrate with other systems within the same airspace.
The FAA has created a program called the FAA UAS Data Exchange. This program utilizes an exchange called Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC). This program is a combined effort between the FAA and industry partners to allow for easy information exchange between UAS operators and the FAA to allow for easy and streamlined approval for flight in controlled airspace below 400 ft (FAA, 2020).
Challenges for the implementation of NextGen, UTM, & NAS Integration
The first human factors challenge I see from the implementation of these programs is the integrity of the information passed from a UAS operator to the FAA for UTM data exchange. The assumption is that the UAS operator will give correct information when applying for a LAANC or that they will not make a mistake when flying in uncontrolled areas. This mismatch of information can change the assumptions made by the UTM program to include, who is flying the aircraft, what they are doing, and where they are flying.
Another human factor challenge for NAS integration is for NextGen. According to the research, NextGen requires all aircraft to have the capability to communicate and navigate using the NextGen systems. NextGen is a United States initiative, and it does not take into account international aircrews or aircraft that may be lacking in the technology requirements to utilize the system appropriately. Currently, the FAA has a program office to mitigate this; however, in all of the research, the United States is the only one to have made progress in the adoption of this system.
References
Boyle, A. (2020). NASA UTM: Home. Retrieved from https://utm.arc.nasa.gov/index.shtml
FAA.FAA TV: NextGen today. Retrieved from https://www.faa.gov/tv/?mediaId=1291
FAA. (2019). What is NextGen? Retrieved from https://www.faa.gov/nextgen/what_is_nextgen/
FAA. (2020). NextGen concept of operations. Retrieved from https://www.faa.gov/uas/research_development/traffic_management/media/UTM_ConOps_v2.pdf
FAA. (2020). Unmanned aircraft system traffic management (UTM). Retrieved from https://www.faa.gov/uas/research_development/traffic_management/
FAA. (2020). UAS data exchange (LAANC). Retrieved from https://www.faa.gov/uas/programs_partnerships/data_exchange/
Shively, J. (2018). UAS integration in the NAS: Detect and avoid NASA. Retrieved from https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=20180002420