Tests will explore standards capabilities, test enhancements to Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Traffic Management technology and explore future concepts

Raytheon Intelligence & Space, a Raytheon Technologies business, in collaboration with the Virginia Tech Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership, or MAAP, and the Lone Star UAS Center of Excellence & Innovation has been selected by the Federal Aviation Administration to participate in the Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Traffic Management Field Test. As part of this effort, the team will conduct UTM flight tests in complex environments.

The tests will include diverse missions, as well as test updates to UTM technology such as data correlation using remote identification and updated cybersecurity. 

“The safe integration of uncrewed systems in our airspace requires close partnerships between government, private industry and academia,” said Denis Donohue, president, Surveillance and Network Systems at RI&S. “Raytheon Intelligence & Space is investing heavily to evolve both the UTM and advanced air mobility markets based on our portfolio of proven capabilities in traditional air traffic services including automation, sensors, communications and navigation. Our Skyler radar is designed to meet this challenge. Data from Skyler will provide situational awareness, and support detect and avoid operations.”

The test outcomes will provide the FAA with information to support policy development and help industry update standards to support both routine visual line of sight and beyond visual line of sight operations. Test infrastructure updated through field testing activities will allow for continued collaboration between the FAA and the UTM community to support maturation of the UTM ecosystem.