US safety system for domestic UAS operations validated

The US Army has validated technology designed to help its fleet of unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) better adhere to operating rules in domestic air space.

Two demonstrations in June of the Ground Based Sense and Avoid (GBSAA) system could soon lead the army and other UAS operators closer to better integrating their platforms into the US National Air Space (NAS), which is regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

"The transition of the US military's UAS to ... military units stateside and the fielding of [MQ-1C] Gray Eagle UASs emphasises a growing need for UAS access to the NAS in order for UAS operators to train and remain technically and tactically proficient," the army said in a statement.

Moreover, an increase in interest "among other government and non-government agencies to employ unmanned aircraft in the NAS creates the need for a hastened development of GBSAA technology", added the service.

Army officials explained that GBSAA could be an alternate means of complying with FAA requirements that stipulate that any platform flying in the NAS must be able to see and avoid other aircraft, which UASs cannot necessarily do on their own, especially in the event that a ground link is lost.