Thales, NASA partner on UAS traffic management

2nd April 2018 - 12:30 GMT | by Shephard News Team

RSS

Thales will support NASA's UAS traffic management (UTM) activity under an agreement announced on 27 March.

This agreement will allow Thales to engage with NASA on a technical and programme level to continue to establish a UTM in the US. The company will support NASA’s effort to develop a UTM concept that can be transferred to the FAA in 2019 for deployment in the national airspace system.

Thales will collaborate with NASA for the research, development, testing and evaluation of low-altitude airspace control of UAS operating at or below 400ft. This will include engagement with industry and government stakeholders to share concepts and perspectives on the integration of unmanned systems.

The agreement also includes further cooperation with existing technology capability level activities being conducted by NASA.

Thales is currently working with other NASA partners at the FAA’s New York Test Site at Griffiss International Airport in Rome, New York, and will be deploying technologies in support of NASA initiatives. Through existing agreements the company is supporting the development of UTM at the site, including integration and monitoring of the FAA’s System Wide Information Management capabilities.

Thales also continues to work with the FAA on the Low Altitude Authorisation and Notification Capability programme for small UAS integration.

Alan Pellegrini, CEO, Thales USA, said: ‘NASA, the FAA, and its partners including Thales, are working to extend the beneficial and innovative applications of small UAS, while respecting long-standing traditions of safety. Thales supports technology innovation and this agreement enables us to further leverage our strengths in air traffic management to advance a UTM concept for NASA and bring high-technology jobs to central New York.’

Author

Shephard News Team

As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to Premium News and Defence Insight …

Read full bio

More from Uncrewed Vehicles

Jammer resistant drone designs spark search for countermeasures

The Russia-Ukraine conflict has driven another stage of evolution for drones and the counter measures to defend against them.
L3Harris launches Amorphous software for control of uncrewed platforms

The new Amorphous software is a universal controller that would allow a single operator to control a swarm of “thousands” of uncrewed systems, from drones to underwater platforms.
ideaForge unveils new UAVs at Aero India 2025

India UAV supplier ideaForge has launched the Netra 5 and Switch V2 drones at Aero India 2025, boasting of enhanced endurance, AI-driven autonomy and improved operational capabilities.
Shaping the future of defence: What 2025 holds for the global drone market

The UAV market is experiencing unprecedented growth, with innovations in technology and battlefield applications driving demand across military sectors. From the battlefields of Ukraine to NATO exercises and beyond, drones are transforming how wars are fought and supported.
Maris-Tech confirms customers signing up for Jupiter Drones codec and AI-powered system

Launched at AUSA in October, the company’s multi-stream video codec is attempting to bring a new lease of life to drone technology through its AI accelerator.
AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments

Quantum-Systems has been upgrading its UAS family, with new versions of the Vector, Reliant and Twister drones set for release throughout 2025.