USA Banner
  U.S. flag
              An official website of the United States government Here's how you knowOfficial US Government Icon
              **Official websites use .gov**A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
            Secure Site Icon
              **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                  A **lock** ( A locked padlock ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 
 United States Department of Transportation
 Secondary navigation
  

        
                    About
                Jobs
                News
                                                           Enter Search Term(s):
                 Ultimenu: Main navigation
  

        AircraftSubnav: Aircraft 1
  

        
              Aircraft Certification
                Aviation Safety Draft Documents Open for Comment
                Vintage & Experimental Aircraft ProgramSubnav: Aircraft 2
  

        
              Aircraft Safety
                General Aviation & Recreational Aircraft
                Repair Stations
                Air Carrier & Air Agency CertificationAir TrafficSubnav: Air Traffic 1
  

        
              Air Traffic By The Numbers
                Air Traffic Environmental Review
                Community Engagement
                Flight Information
                International Aviation
                National Airspace SystemSubnav: Air Traffic 2
  

        
              NextGen
                Obstruction Evaluation
                Air Traffic Plans and Publications
                Separation Standards
                Technology
                WeatherAirportsSubnav: Airports 1
  

        
              Airport Cooperative Research Program
                Airport Improvement Program
                Airport Compliance
                Airport Rescue Grants
                Airport Safety
                Airport Certification
                CARES Act Grants
                Airport Coronavirus Response Grant ProgramSubnav: Airports 2
  

        
              Engineering, Design, & Construction
                Environmental Programs
                News & Information
                Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) Program
                Planning & Capacity
                Resources
                Regions
                Runway Safety
                Airport Safety Information Video SeriesPilots & AirmenSubnav: Airmen 1
  

        
              Find an Aviation Medical Examiner
                Become a Pilot
                International Flight
                Pilot Certificates & Records
                Medical CertificationSubnav: Airmen 2
  

        
              FAA Safety Team
                Mechanics
                Airmen Certification
                Training & Testing
                From the Flight Deck
                Pilot's Bill of RightsData & ResearchSubnav: Data & Research 1
  

        
              Accident & Incident Data
                Aviation Forecasts
                Aviation Data & Statistics
                Commercial Space DataSubnav: Data & Research 2
  

        
              Funding & Grant Data
                Passengers & Cargo
                Research
                Safety
                Technical LibraryRegulationsSubnav: Regulations 1
  

        
              Advisory Circulars
                Airworthiness Directives
                FAA Regulations
                Forms
                Handbooks & Manuals
                Orders & NoticesSubnav: Regulations 2
  

        
              Pilot Records Database
                Policy & Guidance
                Rulemaking
                Temporary Flight Restrictions
                Notices to Air Missions (NOTAM)SpaceSubnav: Space 1
  

        
              Licenses, Permits & Approvals
                Resources
                Legislation & Policies, Regulations & Guidance
                Environmental
                SpaceportsSubnav: Space 2
  

        
              Airspace Integration
                Stakeholder Engagement
                Compliance, Enforcement & Mishap
                Commercial Human Spaceflight
                Careers
                Additional InformationDronesSubnav: Drones 1
  

        
              Advanced Operations
                Certificated Remote Pilots including Commercial Operators
                Contact Us
                Critical Infrastructure & Public Venues
                Drone Events
                Educational Users
                UAS en EspanolSubnav: Drones 2
  

        
              Getting Started
                Public Safety and Government
                Programs, Partnerships & Opportunities
                Recreational Flyers & Modeler Community-Based Organizations
                Resources & Other Topics
                Research & DevelopmentMenu Home
                        Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)
                        Research & Development


            
            In This Section
        Overview
                Getting Started
                                Overview
                How to Register Your Drone
                What Kind of Drone Flyer Are You?
                Where Can I Fly?
                B4UFLY App
                Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC)
                Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs)
                Remote ID
                Aviation Safety Reporting Program (ASRP) for UAS
                Recreational Flyers & Community-Based Organizations
                                Overview
                The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST)
                TRUST for Industry
                Recreational Flyer Airspace Authorizations
                FAA-Recognized CBOs
                Certificated Remote Pilots including Commercial Operators
                                Overview
                Become a Drone Pilot
                Operations Over People
                Part 107 Waiver
                UAS Facility Maps
                Part 107 Airspace Authorizations
                Public Safety and Government
                                Overview
                Operate a Drone, Start a Drone Program
                Sightings and Reports
                Public Safety and Law Enforcement Toolkit
                FAA Contacts for Law Enforcement
                Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA) Application FAADroneZone (CADZ)
                Educational Users
                                Overview
                UAS Collegiate Training Initiative
                Drone Events
                                Overview
                FAA Drone Symposium
                Drone Safety Day
                Droning On
                Community Engagement
                Critical Infrastructure & Public Venues
                                Overview
                Airport Safety & Airspace Hazard Mitigation & Enforcement (Section 383)
                Advanced Operations
                                Overview
                Package Delivery by Drone
                Emergency Situations
                Certification
                NEPA & Drones
                Upper Class E Traffic Management
                FAA UAS Traffic Management
                Programs, Partnerships & Opportunities
                                Overview
                LAANC (UAS Data Exchange)
                UAS BEYOND
                Test Sites
                Integration Partnership Agreement (IPA) Program
                Manufacturer's Toolkit
                Advanced Aviation Advisory Committee
                Completed Programs and Partnerships
                Research & Development
                                Overview
                UAS Information Papers
                Resources & Other Topics
                                Overview
                Hot Topics
                FAQs
                Public Records
                Policy Document Library
                Information for Foreign Operators
                Counter UAS
                Timeline of Drone Integration
                UAS en Español
                                Para Empezar
                Inscriba Su Dron
                Restricciones del espacio aéreo
                Pilotos aficionados y organizaciones comunitarias
                Glosario
                Contactenos
                Contact Us
                                Overview
                How do I report a UAS sighting?
                
                UAS Information Papers
    

    
    
        
          One-page status reports on research conducted or being conducted regarding the safe integration of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) into the National Airspace System (NAS).

Aircraft Safety/Safety Risk
	Airworthiness
	Command and Control
	Detect and Avoid
	Human Factors
	Operational IntegrationAircraft Safety/Safety Risk

Unmanned Aircraft Systems Ground Collision Severity Evaluation (PDF)

Purpose: The Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Ground Collision Severity Evaluation study will provide data to help inform:

What are the severity criteria for Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) collisions, such as weight, kinetic energy, etc.?
	What is the severity of a UAS collision with person or property on the ground?
	How can the design of a UAS minimize potential damage during a ground collision?
	Can we categorize the severity of a UAS collision with a person or property on the ground based on the UAS and what would those categories look like?Unmanned Aircraft Systems Airborne Collision Severity Evaluation (PDF)

Purpose: The Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Airborne Collision Severity Evaluation study will provide data to help inform:

What are the severity criteria for Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) collision with an aircraft in the air?
	How can the design of a (UAS) minimize potential damage during a mid-air collision?
	Can we classify a (UAS) collision impact in a similar manner to a bird strike?
	Will a (UAS) collision affect an engine similar to bird ingestion?
	Can we categorize the severity of a (UAS) mid-air collision with an aircraft into categories based on the UAS and what would those categories look like?Back to top

Airworthiness

Certification Test Case to Validate sUAS Industry Consensus Standards (PDF)

Purpose: The certification test case will validate small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) industry standards and support standards development and certification strategies for sUAS, necessary for their safe integration in the National Airspace System (NAS).

Back to top

Command and Control

Control Non-Payload Communication Testing for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (PDF)

Purpose: The Control Non-Payload Communication (CNPC) flight demonstration will prove the feasibility of using a small radio in a small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) airframe that allows flexible employment of sUAS, and answers the following question: Can a radio developed based on the RTCA Minimum Operational and Performance Standards (MOPS) be practical to use for all sUAS?

Secure Command and Control Link with Interference Mitigation (PDF)

Purpose: This research on Secure Command and Control Link with Interference Mitigation will test interference cancellation and mitigation techniques to establish secure communication between unmanned aircraft and the control station.

UAS Command and Control Link Compatibility (PDF)

Purpose: The UAS Command and Control Link Compatibility testing will complement the current validation efforts for Control and Non Payload Communications (CNPC) standards by evaluating the operating compatibility with other L-band avionics equipment.

Back to top

Detect and Avoid

Unmanned Aircraft Systems Sense and Avoid System Certification Obstacles (PDF)

Purpose: The research will determine the certification obstacles associated with equipment and systems designed to satisfy the Sense and Avoid (SAA) requirement necessary to comply with the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) that apply to operating and flight rules, 14 CFR Part 91, and how a UAS would comply with those rules.

Detect and Avoid Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operational Assessment: Visual Compliance (PDF)

Purpose: This research will identify how a UAS will meet the need to visually comply with regulations and Air Traffic Control (ATC) clearances.

Unmanned Aircraft Systems Sense and Avoid Multi-Sensor Data Fusion Strategies (PDF)

Purpose: The research will determine the best SAA system architecture for UAS, allowing UAS to detect and avoid other aircraft, which may or may not have location transponders.

Surveillance Criticality for Sense and Avoid (PDF)

Purpose: The research on Surveillance Criticality for Sense and Avoid (SAA) will:

Determine whether the current operational or technical performance requirements for a cooperative SAA solution based on Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) Out and/or transponders should change for SAA functions
	Determine whether Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) SAA functions can be carried out by equipage standards using current surveillance equipmentIntegration of ACAS-X into Sense and Avoid for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (PDF)

Purpose: The research will answer the following question: What are the requirements/standards for UAS airborne Collision Avoidance Systems (CAS) to operate with other airborne CAS?

Develop Test Methods and Performance Requirements for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) Detect and Avoid (DAA) Systems

Purpose:  Establish a testing methodology to evaluate various sUAS DAA systems and sensors. Insights from the tests will provide the FAA with the current state of DAA technology and areas of improvement. The research findings will inform ASTM DAA standards under development.

Validate Visual Detection and Avoidance Operations Standards for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS)

Purpose: Characterize recommendations for visual observer training standards, FAA risk assessments, and waivers for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations. This research will validate ASTM International standards for visual line of sight and inform guidance for BVLOS operations.

Back to top

Human Factors

Unmanned Aircraft Systems Human Factors Considerations (PDF)

Purpose: The research will address human factors safety concerns that are unique to UAS, both in public use and civil operations as well as perform research that supports development of standards, regulations, and guidance for civil UAS. The four key research categories identified are function allocation, control station requirements, pilot training and certification requirements, and visual observer requirements.

Back to top

Operational Integration

Unmanned Aircraft Systems Counter UAS/Airport Detection (PDF)

Purpose: This research assess the feasibility of integrating proven UAS mitigation technology with airport operations in order to detect, identify and track both the air vehicle and ground controller to explicitly identify the UAS without interference to existing airport operations.

Back to top
      
        

          Last updated: Tuesday, October 25, 2022 U.S. Department of Transportation

Federal Aviation Administration
800 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20591
866.835.5322 (866-TELL-FAA)Contact Us
        Get Important Info/Data
  

        
              Accident & Incident Data
                Airport Data & Information Portal (ADIP)
                Charting & Data
                Flight Delay Information
                Supplemental Type Certificates
                Type Certificate Data Sheets (TCDS)Review Documents
  

        
              Aircraft Handbooks & Manuals
                Airport Diagrams
                Aviation Handbooks & Manuals
                Examiner & Inspector
                FAA Guidance
                Performance Reports & PlansLearn About NextGen
  

        
              Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen)
                NextGen Today
                NextGen Programs and Resources
                Performance Reporting and BenefitsVisit Other FAA Sites
  

        
              Airmen Inquiry
                Airmen Online Services
                N-Number Lookup
                FAA Mobile
                FAA Safety Team
                Frequently Asked Questions

  Policies, Rights & Legal
  

        
              About DOT
                Budget and Performance
                Civil Rights
                FOIA
                Information Quality
                No FEAR Act
                Office of Inspector General
                Privacy Policy
                USA.gov
                Web Policies and Notices
                Web StandardsDOT Facebook
	DOT Twitter
	DOT Instagram
	DOT LinkedIn
	FAA YouTube
	DOT Medium