The Federal Aviation Administration and NASA are partnering with industry to create a cloud-based traffic management system that handles drones flying in the national airspace, the Department of Homeland Security said Tuesday. The Unmanned Aircraft Systems Traffic Management platform organizes the flight of drones registered with the FAA and enables drone users to coordinate airspace use through a UAS Service Supplier.
The UTM system enables Low Altitude Authorization Notification Capability drone operators to receive real-time authorization to fly in a controlled airspace. Additionally, the system can handle USS and drone operator coordination via mobile and other electronic devices connected to the Internet.Â
USS and other data providers may leverage automated UTM communication to share information such as weather and terrain data, airspace events and operational plans addressing flight conflicts. DHS’ science and technology directorate is speaking with entities involved to develop related systems such as the Urban Counter-UAS Operational Prototype, which will be used to detect unauthorized drones in the national airspace.
The UTM infrastructure was first conceptualized by NASA and will be rolled out in increments in the near future.