NASA tests unmanned flying system

NASA is working with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Honeywell to conduct a series of tests of a system that could make it possible for UAS to fly routine operations in the US.

The tests are a part of NASA's Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration in the National Airspace System (UAS-NAS) project and will run through July and August at the Armstrong Flight Research Center in California.

This is the third test series and it will engage core air traffic infrastructure and support software in a live and virtual environment to demonstrate how a UAS interacts with air traffic and air traffic controllers.

Laurie Grindle, UAS-NAS project manager, Armstrong Flight Research Center, said: 'We are excited to continue our partnership with GA-ASI and Honeywell to collect flight test data that will aid in the development of standards necessary to safely integrate these aircraft into the National Airspace System. This is the first time that we are flight testing all of the technology developments from the project at the same time.'

The test series are made of two phases, with the first phase focused on validating the sensor, trajectory and simulation models with live data. Some tests will use the Ikhana aircraft with an updated sense-and-avoid system. The system includes a new traffic collision avoidance programme and other software provided by Honeywell.

Other tests will use an S-3B plane as a piloted surrogate aircraft. Both tests will also have other aircraft flying scripted paths that intrude on the flight path of the UAS, prompting it to manoeuvre out of the way or issue an alert.

A test on 17 June saw 14 such encounters conducted with the Ikhana aircraft and a Beech C90 King Air from Honeywell. A second test on the next day saw 23 encounters conducted. Over 200 encounters are planned throughout the first phase.

The second phase of the test series will begin in August and use a T-34 aircraft with a proof-of concept control and non-payload communications system. The tests will check how the systems work together to interact with air traffic and air traffic controllers while the aircraft executes its operational mission. The aircraft will have an onboard pilot for safety.