GA-ASI demonstrates SAA system capability aboard Predator B UAV

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) has completed first flight test of sense and avoid (SAA) architecture and Self Separation functionality aboard General Atomics-built Predator B unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), at the company’s Gray Butte Flight Operations facility in Palmdale, California, US.

During the testing, the prototype DRR successfully tracked multiple targets of opportunity throughout 40-plus scripted encounters, including some aircraft which are not tracked by Air Traffic Control.

The testing is aimed at integrating and synchronising BAE Systems-developed AD/DPX-7 identification friend or foe (IFF) transponder with automatic dependent surveillance broadcast (ADS-B) IN, GA-ASI-built Due Regard Radar (DRR) air-to-air radar and Honeywell’s traffic alert collision avoidance system (TCAS) TPA-100 to detect and track cooperative and non-cooperative aircraft.

GA-ASI Aircraft Systems Group president Frank Pace said the company is working with the FAA, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in addition to industry alliances to advance the safe and efficient integration of unmanned aircraft systems into domestic and international airspace.

"Our Sense and Avoid capability is a key part of that goal, and we continue to make ongoing progress towards this end," Pace added.

The FAA and industry participants will use the sensor data collected during the flight test by the systems to develop and further refine their algorithms, which would lead to a proof-of-concept SAA system including collision avoidance.