FAA Pathfinder Program to Now Include Tracking Drones Near Airports
Today, the Federal Aviation Administration announced that it is adding a new area of research to its Pathfinder programs — efforts aimed at researching issues related to unmanned aircraft systems airspace integration.
In a cooperative research and development agreement with Gryphon Sensors, Liteye Systems Inc. and Sensofusion, the FAA is evaluating procedures and technologies that will identify unauthorized UAS flights around airports.
“Sometimes people fly drones in an unsafe manner,” says Marke “Hoot” Gibson, FAA senior adviser on UAS integration. “Government and industry share responsibility for keeping the skies safe, and we’re pleased these three companies have taken on this important challenge.”
The three companies have prototype UAS sensor detection systems that will be evaluated by the FAA at select airports.
All airports have a five-mile no-fly zone perimeter for unmanned aircraft.
The program is similar to the FAA’s efforts to detect UAS, in a partnership with CACI and the Department of Homeland Security.
“The collaboration between these companies and the FAA is another example of government-industry cooperation and is an important step towards the safe integration of UAS into the national airspace. Equipping airports with technology that can detect, track and identify UAS that are flying unsafely or in restricted areas will help ensure the safety of the airspace for all aircraft — manned and unmanned,” said AUVSI President and CEO Brian Wynne in a statement.
