European Drone Programs Are on Course

Mark Phelps

Tuesday, November 27, 2012 at 10:49 PM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Europe, particularly the UK's Astraea program, is significantly ahead of the U.S. in integrating pilotless drones into airspace due to FAA delays.
The Astraea program, an industry-government partnership, is conducting test flights using a ground-controlled Jetstream 31 with safety pilots, focusing on "virtual certification" and experimental "sense-and-avoid" equipment.
The UK's approach involves a research-driven agenda with an open-ended schedule, starting with low-risk operations like overwater flights, aiming for full unmanned aircraft integration before the end of the decade.

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With the recent announcement that the FAA’s drone integration plans face more delays, Europe is way ahead of the U.S. There are several programs aimed at integrating pilotless drones into its airspace. For example, test flights are now underway in the UK using a Jetstream 31 twin-engine turboprop, controlled from the ground, but flying with two safety pilots on board.

The Autonomous Systems Technology Related Airborne Evaluations & Assessment (Astraea) team brings together an industry-government partnership group, which includes a range of government agencies and six representative companies from industry. The Jetstream contains not only datalink connections for the ground-based “pilots” but also experimental “sense-and-avoid” equipment for airborne testing.