Developing Communication Link To Facilitate Flight In The NAS

NASA and Rockwell Collins have announced a collaboration that could lead to the development of an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) control and non-payload communications (CNPC) data link that will eventually enable unmanned aircraft to safely operate in the national airspace.

“The reason we were selected is because we’re one of a few companies that have both commercial avionics experience and UAS data links in theater. It’s really the intersection of our core technologies,” said David Vos, senior director of UAS and Control Technologies at Rockwell Collins. “We know the challenges, we know how to certify avionics and we’re experts in military data links and waveform development.”
 
As a team member in the three-year NASA UAS Communications Research Sub-Project, Rockwell Collins will work closely with NASA engineers and subject matter experts to define the waveform for the CNPC data link. The results of this collaboration will help industry and the Federal Aviation Administration develop the appropriate set of rules and requirements for reliable unmanned flight operations in the national airspace system.

FMI: www.nasa.gov, www.rockwellcollins.com