Atypical Airspace BVLOS Solution (AABS)

Project dates: 1 April 2022 – 30 September 2023

About the Project

The project will develop a platform for pilot-designed missions in which an uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) will map its surroundings in 3D using LiDAR and cameras, allowing it to fly autonomously at low altitude and near obstacles. The 3D map is sent in real-time to a pilot who can remotely supervise the mission to ensure safety. The project builds on previous work part funded by Phase 2 of the Future Flight Challenge.

Please Note: Funding available is the grant value awarded by Innovate UK.

Project Activities

AABS will further develop this technology and the associated operational safety case to extend capabilities to enable Atypical Airspace (AA) BVLOS inspection of assets in the public domain by:

• Advancing the capabilities of a detect and avoid (DAA) system to detect vehicles and people on the ground and any approaching aircraft.
• Embedding operations into the wider aviation ecosystem by integrating them into a commercial uncrewed aircraft systems traffic management (UTM) system.
• Developing a system that can provide communications between uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and the aircraft pilot in areas with poor or no 4G/5G coverage.
• Leveraging advanced spatial awareness systems and integration into the aviation ecosystem to create a robust Concept of Operations that will allow one of the world’s first approvals for AA-BVLOS to be obtained.
• Enabling a pilot to control multiple UAS, an important step towards increasing the efficiency and scalability of UAS operations.

The project will also aim to obtain one of the first regulatory authorisations to fly multiple UAS simultaneously in AA. Benefits The technologies and systems developed by AABS will contribute to future BVLOS infrastructure and operations. By the conclusion of the project, the project partners aim to have developed a number of tried and tested systems that are ready for regular deployment.

Benefit

The technologies and systems developed by AABS will contribute to future BVLOS infrastructure and operations. By the conclusion of the project, the project partners aim to have developed a number of tried and tested systems that are ready for regular deployment.

To find out more about the project, please contact Innovate UK Business Connect’s Knowledge Transfer Manager for Aviation.

Project Partners

• Sees.ai
• Across Safety Development
• BT
• DScience
• Imperial College London
• Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service
• LiveLink Aerospace
• National Grid
• Network Rail
• Terra Drone