Honeywell Successfully Tests Autonomous Detect-and-Avoid System

The “leap forward in safety” could have far-ranging impacts across aviation, including air taxis.

Wednesday, February 02, 2022 at 04:16 PM ET

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Honeywell said its autonomous radar system kept drones out of danger during the “ultimate game of chicken.” [Courtesy: Honeywell]

Key Takeaways:

Honeywell successfully tested its compact RDR-84K autonomous detect-and-avoid (DAA) radar system, which independently detected other drones and performed avoidance maneuvers without human intervention.
The system proved effective in challenging "game of chicken" scenarios, detecting non-transponder equipped drones and navigating to safety even when intruders approached from difficult angles or blended into ground clutter.
This technology is crucial for advancing aviation safety, enabling expanded drone operations beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS), and is a fundamental component for the future of pilotless aircraft, including emerging eVTOL air taxi services.

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After a series of drone test flights described as the “ultimate game of chicken,” Honeywell (NASDAQ: HON) announced success Wednesday with its autonomous detect-and-avoid (DAA) radar system.

The recent tests, located near Phoenix, Arizona, involved a drone piloted by Honeywell’s IntuVue RDR-84K radar system that repeatedly swerved around other UAVs. The system was able to detect airborne traffic and, on its own, decide on a course of action, Honeywell says. Next, the system took over navigation and piloted the drone to safety using its onboard processor.