Integration of Large UAS into National Airspace System

Northrop Grumman and NASA are collaborating in the development and test of solutions for integrating large UAS into the US National Airspace System (NAS). The effort focuses on air cargo operations and forms part of the agency’s Air Traffic Management-eXploration (ATM-X) Pathfinding for Airspace with Autonomous Vehicles (PAAV) subproject. The implications for military aviation are obvious.

“Partnering with NASA, we will detail requirements and solutions to make it possible for autonomous aircraft, in this case being air cargo, to be integrated seamlessly and safely into national airspace,” said Tom Jones, President of Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems. “Our work together will improve airspace access and transform how uncrewed systems are used to transport goods across U.S. airspace and help establish airspace integration critical to future manned unmanned teaming efforts.”

The two organisations will support the long-term goal by exchanging data and information to define technologies and procedures for remotely-piloted systems. This will include coordination with the FAA, flight readiness reviews and developing a test plan for simulations and flight demonstrations.