Rockwell Collins

Nasa and Rockwell Collins are set to conduct a series of risk reduction tests in order to safely integrate unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) into national airspace.

Testing will be carried out in two phases, with Nasa-owned Lockheed S-3 Viking and the University of Iowa Operator Performance Laboratory’s Beechcraft Bonanza aircraft serving as surrogates for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Rockwell Collins Airborne Solutions vice-president and general manager Troy Brunk said: "This technology will provide the critical communications link for UAS pilots on the ground to safely and securely operate their remotely piloted vehicles in flight even though they are many miles apart."

"This technology will provide the critical communications link for UAS pilots on the ground to safely and securely operate their remotely piloted vehicles in flight even though they are many miles apart."

The first part of testing will showcase the ability of unmanned aircraft to hand off communications from one tower to another, while the second part will demonstrate the ability of a single tower to communicate with multiple jets.

The waveform being developed can support more than one channel from a single ground transmitter, enabling multiple aircraft to be simultaneously served as per local operational requirements.

Co-funded by Rockwell Collins, the project develops a non-proprietary data link waveform that is planned for release as a public resource.

The solution will help both the industry and the Federal Aviation Administration develop a suitable set of rules and requirements for reliable unmanned flight operations in the national airspace.

Image: This Nasa-owned Lockheed S-3 Viking aircraft will take part in risk reduction tests. Photo: courtesy of Rockwell Collins.

Defence Technology