Terra Drone’s subsidiary Unifly has completed validation of “Well Clear Requirements” for drone Detect-and-Avoid (DAA) systems under the FAA’s ASSURE research consortium. The project, designated A68, demonstrates how UAS Traffic Management (UTM) systems can support collision avoidance capabilities in commercial drone operations.
During the initiative, Unifly deployed its UTM platform during simulations and flight testing to validate performance requirements for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations. “Unifly demonstrated that UTM can effectively support drone Detect-and-Avoid systems,” according to the announcement, and contributed to establishing a technical foundation for improved DAA performance in high-density airspace environments.
Detect-and-Avoid Technology Advances Commercial Operations
The validation of Well Clear Requirements represents a significant step toward enabling detect-and-avoid capabilities in commercial drone deployments. These requirements define safety thresholds for unmanned aircraft to maintain separation from manned aircraft, a critical specification for expanded BVLOS operations where pilots cannot maintain visual contact.
Unifly’s UTM system processed real-world data from the flight testing phase, providing aviation authorities with validated technical specifications needed for regulatory development. The data collected through this project is expected to accelerate low-altitude airspace integration efforts and inform future regulatory frameworks governing commercial drone operations.
Unifly operates UTM deployments across more than eight countries and has completed commercial implementations globally. The company’s role in the FAA project underscores the operational importance of traffic management systems in supporting autonomous aircraft collision avoidance technologies.
“Participation in the ASSURE A68 project reflects Unifly’s continued commitment to evidence-based airspace integration. By supporting rigorous flight testing and system-level evaluation, we help ensure that future UAS operations are built on validated assumptions, robust data, and operationally realistic concepts.”, said Andres Van Swalm, co-founder and CEO of Unifly.
Based on validation completed through this FAA-led project, aviation authorities and relevant organizations can now advance their efforts toward establishing regulatory standards that accommodate expanded commercial drone operations in shared airspace.
More information about Unifly and the study can be found from their website.
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Ian McNabb is a journalist focusing on drone technology and lifestyle content at Dronelife. He is based between Boston and NH and, when not writing, enjoys hiking and Boston area sports.