ATC Perspectives of UAS Integration in Controlled Airspace

AbstractThere is a need to better understand the impacts unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) have on air traffic control (ATC) when they are integrated into the National Airspace System (NAS) in controlled airspace. An increasing number of UAS are requesting access to controlled airspace. Today, the larger UAS that are accessing busier controlled airspace consist mostly of Global Hawk and Predator-class aircraft. While these models of large UAS will continue to fly in the NAS, a small number of additional high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) UAS will be added to the traffic mix. Although the larger UAS flying in controlled airspace tend to fly in less congested areas, there is still an impact on ATC. Over the past several years, MITRE has been using a combination of techniques to determine the key impacts on controllers and the air traffic system. The analyses have shown that there are several areas where air traffic control is most affected by UAS flights. One of these areas is the filing of flight plans; especially for long-duration missions. Another difference is the flight profile of UAS. UAS flight profiles are frequently very different from traditional point-to-point routes that most manned aircraft fly. The impact on controllers is exacerbated by the fact that most of these UAS operating in controlled airspace use latitude/longitude waypoints to define their route instead of the more common named fixes or waypoints. The communications and control link for beyond visual line of sight operations can present additional challenges for controllers if there are delays in responses to clearances and maneuvering of aircraft. While these examples have some potential to exist for manned aircraft, they are more prevalent in UAS. One additional issue, unique to UAS, is the complete loss of the communications and control link. Throughout this research, MITRE has looked at potential ways of mitigating issues that arise from the different UAS challenges, and reviewed some of the pros and cons of these different approaches, including changes in procedures, automation, and policy