The manufacturer of the Air Force’s MQ-9 Reaper
announced two new technological developments related to the company’s “sense
and avoid” research efforts. Working with the Federal Aviation Administration
and Honeywell, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., recently tested a
proof of concept SAA system, marking the first successful test of the FAA’s
Airborne Collision Avoidance System for Unmanned Aircraft, according to a
company
release. The system includes sensor fusion capabilities to provide the
pilot a clear picture of traffic around the aircraft and automatic collision
avoidance. It was tested in early September at GA-ASI’s Palmdale, Calif.,
facility on a Predator B aircraft. The test is touted as a “major step forward
for integrating RPAs safely into domestic and international airspace,” GA-ASI
President Frank Pace said, adding the system will now undergo extensive flight
testing with the FAA, NASA, and other industry partners. In a separate
development, GA-ASI said it has also tested a pre-production air-to-air radar
for SAA systems, called the “Due Regard Radar” on a Beechcraft King Air,
tracking multiple aircraft out to 10 miles. The radar eventually will help
enable routine operations in domestic and international airspace, according to
the release.