Live Flight Testing Will Prove Out NASA TCL4 Capabilities And USS-USS Protocols For BVLOS Flights

OneSky, a business unit of Analytical Graphics, Inc. (AGI), in conjunction with NUAIR (Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research), and Griffiss International Airport in Rome, New York, commenced live flight testing in April with the AGI OneSky Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Traffic Management (UTM) solution. The tests are being conducted as part of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) ongoing UTM initiative aimed at Enabling Civilian Low-altitude Airspace and Unmanned Aircraft System Operations and validating requirements for UAS Service Suppliers (USS).

These tests were the first live flights at an FAA designated UAS Test Site validating NASA Technical Capability Level 4 and the USS to USS integration protocol. When completed, the tests will confirm OneSky’s ability to enhance the safety and efficiency of unmanned flights conducted beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS).

Also included in the tests is Measure, a Washington DC based drone-as-a-service company and NUAIR Partner AX Enterprize. Measure successfully integrated their ground control tools and operation workflows with the OneSky platform to demonstrate a fully automated end-to-end solution, greatly enhancing range-wide situational awareness. Ax Enterprize is supporting NUAIR’s integration, testing and operation of several USS systems at the New York UAS Test Site, including the OneSky UTM.

OneSky has participated in the NASA UTM effort since 2015 and recently completed Technical Capability Level 4 (TCL4) UTM testing. In addition to being a USS, OneSky is providing NUAIR and other USS with access to its Supplemental Data Services Provider (SDSP) analytics such as terrain analysis, modeling of communications link quality, and navigation accuracy forecasting, all which help to ensure safe UAS operations across the flight route. In addition, NUAIR has implemented AGI’s Test and Evaluation Tool Kit (TETK) software to improve the rigor of the New York UAS Test Site’s testing process, helping to quickly deliver actionable insights from the UAS test flights.

“The ability for multiple UAS services suppliers to communicate with each other is another key element in implementing a UAS traffic management system that can facilitate beyond visual line of sight commercial operations,” said Tony Basile, chief operations officer at NUAIR. “OneSky has differentiated themselves by demonstrating their ability to deliver robust UTM capability to support BVLOS and urban operations. We especially appreciate the analytical depth of their software as well as their exceptional support. Their experience in delivering enterprise-ready software led to a successful and timely implementation.”

(Source: OneSky news release. Image provided by NUAIR)

FMI: www.nuair.org
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