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.
