UAS Traffic Management (UTM)

The Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Traffic Management (or UTM) project closed out in May 2021. The project resulted in concepts, documentation, data, and a set of software prototypes for enabling access to low altitude airspace for small (less than 55 pounds) UAS. UTM provided guidance and a proof-of-concept for managing this airspace in a safe and efficient manner that was designed to be compatible with existing and expected future systems and regulations. The UTM system evolved through a series of Technical Capability Levels (TCL) to progressively add features and operational complexity to define the system components, roles and responsibilities of participants, technology needs, and safety considerations. The first TCL (TCL 1) established requirements for multi-vehicle visual line of site (VLOS) such as airspace management, geo-fencing, and user authentication. The second TCL focused on rural area beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) and support multi-segment, longer range operations, altitude separation, conformance monitoring, weather checking and initial contingency management. The third TCL addressed the challenges of suburban operations including separation management requirements and the fourth TCL focused on urban operations including large-scale contingency management capability requirements. These TCLs were tested in collaboration with external and government partners. The UTM project coordinated as necessary its research and development activities (in-house, NRAs, SBIRs) with the other projects in AOSP, other programs and projects within ARMD, and other non-ARMD programs and projects, and collaborated with academia, industry, and other government agencies to leverage their expertise and technological advances in this field.