1. Unmanned Aircraft Systems - UAS
Enabling America’s Next Generation of Aviation Vehicles
30th Annual FAA Aviation Forecast Conference
Washington, DC
March 18, 2005

2. “The trouble with the future is that it usually arrives before we’re ready for it.”
Arnold H. Glasow
(This side sets the “mood” to think about change) 2 1

3. UAS’s are Experiencing Similar Growth as Early Aviation
Creating the Future
When asked, “To what point do you think airplanes will be developed?”
“There is no way of telling. Things are moving too fast. No one can predict where it will end.”
Orville Wright, January 1938 – Celebration in his honor on the 34th anniversary of the first flight.
UAS’s are Experiencing Similar
Growth as Early Aviation

4. Two UAS Perspectives Viewed as a Disruptive Technology
-or-
A Positive Step in the Evolution of Aeronautics
Radar
Jet propulsion
GPS
?Unmanned flight?

5. Dull, Dirty, Dangerous Missions
A Glimpse of the Future A Part of the Aviation Revolution Unlimited Applications
Military/Security
Defense
Civil
Natural Disasters
Humanitarian Relief
Science
Environment
Weather & Storm Tracking
Commercial
Wireless Communications
Precision Agriculture
Cargo Transport
Dull, Dirty, Dangerous Missions

6. Unmanned Aircraft System
A System – Not limited to an Aircraft
Pilot

7. A Global Challenge: UAS Access to Civil Airspace
Managing Expectations
Domestic
International
Creating an Environment of Trust
Making Positive Progress
Making Communications and Collaborations Effective
Outreach to Stakeholders

8. Potential Joint Civil/DoD/DHS UAS Operating Environment

9. Special Use Airspace & Flight Tracks

10. Global Hawk UAS Size Comparison
Performance • –
B-737
U-2
Global Hawk

11. UAS Assumptions
UAVs will need access to the NAS comparable to manned aircraft.
DoD and DHS) will be first major UAS operators in the NAS.
FAA must be alert to new challenges posed by small UAVs operating in increasing numbers at very low altitudes.
FAA should lead discussions with foreign airspace authorities to ensure global airspace harmonization and interoperability.
Ten significant initial findings were identified by the UNTF and should aid the focus of future investigations. These findings are summarized as follows:
The Federal Communications Commission, Department of Commerce (DoC), and other appropriate government agencies must address radio frequency (RF) spectrum issues for all UAVs.
To reduce confusion, the Federal Government (preferably the FAA), should standardize terminology for UAVs operating in the NAS.
The FAA should evaluate whether or not uncontrolled airspace should be regulated for low altitude UAV operations.
The FAA should determine criteria for categorizing UAVs (e.g., small, low altitude aircraft: European standard pounds and less than 400 feet; U.S. standard - 55 pounds and less than 1000 feet.)
Source UNTF Report

12. Eagle Eye, Fire scout, Hunter, Pioneer
UAV Altitude/Classification
U-2
70K
HAE
Global Hawk
60K
Heron 2
Predator B
50K
Altitude
40K
30K
Medium
Heron 1
Predator A
20K
Eagle Eye, Fire scout, Hunter, Pioneer
10K 10 20
Tactical 30
Endurance (hours)

13. Technological advances will produce less expensive UASs
Significant Increases in UAV Operations in the National Airspace System are Inevitable
Routine access into US civil managed airspace is necessary to fulfill operational and economic potential
Significant increase in domestic UAS flight operations are feasible and expected
UASs support societal needs, including security, defense and civil applications
Technological advances will produce less expensive UASs
Increasing public awareness and acceptance of UASs
UAS industry believes routine access into US civil managed airspace is necessary to fulfill operational and economic potential
If access achieved within five years significant increase in domestic UAS flight operations are feasible
Growing demand for UASs that support societal needs, including security, defense and civil applications
Technological advances that will produce more capable and less expensive UASs
Increasing public awareness and acceptance of UASs
The Impact of Unmanned
Aerial Vehicles on the Next Generation
Air Transportation System
Preliminary Assessment
Prepared by the
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)
National Task Force (UNTF)
October 22, 2004
Source UNTF Report

14. UAS Operations in the NAS
High Altitude UAS’s will have Minimal Impact on Manned Aircraft Operations.
Medium Altitude UAS’s Will Share the Same Airspace as Most Manned Civil Transports and Military Aircraft.
Low Altitude UAS’s Will Share Airspace with Smaller Manned Aircraft, Including Helicopters.
Large Numbers of Very Low Altitude UAS’s
Source UNTF Report

15. United States UAS Manufactures in 2002

16. Federal Aviation Act of 1958
Directs FAA as the “single manager” of the National Airspace System (NAS) to develop and operate a common system of air traffic control and navigation for both civil and military aircraft.
Control the use of navigable airspace of the US and regulate both civil and military operations in such airspace in the interest of the safety and efficiency of both.
There are six UAV manufacturers participating in Access 5:
Boeing
Northrup Grummen
Aurora Flight Sciences
General Atomics
Aeroenvironment
Also have participation by DOD, DHS. FAA participates in an advisory role.

17. Access 5 Partnership www.access5.org www.unitealliance.com
AeroVironment
Aurora Flight Sciences
Boeing
General Atomics
Northrop Grumman
Lockheed Martin

18. Fundamental Issues Programmatic Regulatory
Aircraft Airworthiness
Civil Certification
Aircraft
Operators
Air Traffic Management (ATM)
Standards
Regulatory
Preservation of the Safety and Sanctity of the NAS
FAA Acceptance
ICAO Acceptance
Political – How to Manage the Transition
U.S.
International

19. Funded Plan Focus on Steps 1 and 2
Standard
Certificate of
Airworthiness
Certification
Special
Airworthiness
Certification
Current Funded Effort
STEP 4
Establish Type
Certification Basis
STEP 3
Experimental
Certification
STEP 2
Routine Operations Above FL 180 Through C, D, E Airspace
Emergency to ROA
Airport
Routine Operations Above FL 180 Through C, D, E Airspace
STEP 1
Routine Operations Above FL 180 Through Restricted Airspace
Operations
Routine Operations Above FL 400 Through Restricted Airspace
Achieve Routine Access in the NAS for HALE ROA

20. Overview of Activities in FY04
Secured major funding commitment for Steps 1 and 2
$101 million by NASA; $36 million by industry
Fostered critical relationships for Project engagement
Established vital relationships with government and current NAS users (e.g., FAA, DoD, DHS, JPDO, ALPA, AOPA, ATCA,NATCA)
UNITE Companies & NASA Sign Joint Sponsored Research Agreement - JSRA
Participate on RTCA Special Committee 203/
UAS Standards

21. RTCA Special Committee 203
"RTCA has established Special Committee 203 (SC-203) at the request of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and the Federal Aviation Administration. The committee will initially focus on developing recommendations that will assure the safe operation of UAVs within the National Airspace System.”
Requested by AOPA
Supported by the FAA
Industry/Government Participation
Manufacturers, operators, agencies

22. RTCA SC 203 Terms of Reference
The initial Terms of Reference (TOR) for SC-203 call for three initial products to be generated, as follows:
Minimum Aviation System Performance Standards (MASPS) for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)
Due date -- December 2005.
MASPS for Command, Control and Communication (C3) Systems for Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Due date -- June 2006.
MASPS for Sense and Avoid (SA) Systems for Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Due date -- December 2007.

23. RTCA Special Committee 203 Goals and Objectives
Support Industry’s and Government’s desire to operate Unmanned Aircraft (UA) in the National Airspace System (NAS)
Ensure Standards are developed that are useable in certifying UA systems, while maintaining safety and efficiency of the NAS.
Ensure International continuity.

24. SUMMARY We are the pioneers, it is up to us
We have embarked on a historical project that will define the safe integration of UAS’s into the NAS
We represent the rounded mix of necessary experts from industry, government and all segments of aviation that has been assembled to plan for this challenging task.
This is a Global challenge
We are the pioneers,
it is up to us