FAA To Field Test Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management Capabilities

Administration says that lessons learned during the UTM field tests will be used to support the development of new policies.

Kimberly Johnson

Tuesday, February 22, 2022 at 06:18 PM ET

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The Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management (UTM) field test is set to launch in the spring and continue into 2023. [File Photo: Adobe Stock]

Key Takeaways:

The FAA is launching Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management (UTM) field tests to integrate drones into the national airspace system.
These tests aim to develop new policies and industry standards for drones operating Beyond Visual Line-of-Sight (BVLOS).
The initiative is a response to the growing proliferation of drone use and a dramatic increase in unmanned aircraft sightings, which necessitate improved traffic management.

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In a bid to further integrate drones into the national airspace system, the FAA will soon launch field tests of unmanned aircraft traffic management capabilities, the agency recently said.

The Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management (UTM) field test, which is set to launch in the spring and continue into 2023, is expected to lead to new policies and the development of updated industry standards for drones operating beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS), according to the agency.