Revolutionizing Airspace Management: The uAvionix and Volant Autonomy Partnership

uAvionix has successfully merged its FlightLine surveillance technology with Volant autonomy’s cutting-edge Integrated Traffic Management (ITM) system as part of the ALIAS (Agile and Integrated Airspace System) initiative, a pivotal £5 million project funded by the UK Goverment.

Advancing Airspace Integration

This collaboration, highlighted in the Channel islands, marks a meaningful milestone in the effort to blend crewed and uncrewed operations within the UK airspace framework. It also supports Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations for Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS).

UAS Capabilities and Regulatory Developments

The recent advancements underscore the potential of UAS across various aerial applications, especially as the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) begins implementing the Specific Operation Risk Assessment (SORA) framework, which is essential for scaling BVLOS operations.

Project ALIAS: A Catalyst for Innovation

since the successful conclusion of Project ALIAS in June 2024, Volant Autonomy has experienced a notable increase in demand for its BVLOS technology. The integration of uAvionix’s FlightLine system proved to be a crucial component during the consortium’s demonstration flights.

Seamless Integration and Data Reliability

The incorporation of the uAvionix FlightLine API into Volant’s ITM system was executed efficiently,providing timely and dependable Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) positional data,which is vital for the ALIAS Traffic Facts Service (TIS).

Enhancing Safety with High Assurance Data

Utilizing high-assurance positional data alongside primary and secondary radar inputs from Ports of jersey Air Traffic control (ATC) is essential for Volant’s Detect and Avoid (DAA) solution, which complies with the RTCA’s ACAS sXu (Aircraft Collision Avoidance System) standards.

Real-World Applications and Trials

The latest ALIAS trials demonstrated the safe and effective separation of Draken’s Diamond DA-42 aircraft from UAVs operated by SkyLift and SkyPorts. These trials included uncrewed aircraft operating in and out of Jersey Airport, showcasing the practical potential for multiple airborne services to function safely within a live ATC surroundings.

Expert Insights on Future Operations

Paul Beard, the founder and CTO of uAvionix, remarked, “Integrating high-assurance data and utilizing aviation-grade certifiable systems are vital for enabling scalable BVLOS operations in Europe and the US. The ALIAS project has served as an excellent platform to showcase these capabilities, demonstrating how such innovations can significantly improve the safety and reliability of integrated airspace systems.”

David Cleaver, CEO of Volant Autonomy, added, “The implementation of the uAvionix flightline surveillance service aligns seamlessly with our goal of providing advanced ITM solutions to the global aerospace sector. Our combined expertise and technology, especially in developing certifiable DAA solutions, create a solid foundation for the future of BVLOS operations.”