Eurocontrol Outlines Military UAV-Use Specifications

Eurocontrol has published ATM (air traffic management) specifications setting out how military UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) should fly in European airspace.

Military UAVs operating outside specifically designated areas are subject to numerous restrictions to ensure the safety of other airspace users, but these restrictions have prevented the full use of UAVs' unique operational capabilities.  Because of this, in 2003 a pan-European high-level military conference asked Eurocontrol to develop an ATM framework that would allow UAVs to operate in all classes of airspace and across national borders.

After a safety assurance process and public consultation, Eurocontrol has now published the specifications (PDF file), which will "ensure that UAV operations will be carried out with the same level of safety as for manned aircraft," according to Eurocontrol's Mike Strong, who chaired the task force that examined the issue. "Nothing else would be acceptable," Mr. Strong said, referring to the safety question, but added that now "the military will be able to undertake the training necessary for the safe conduct of UAV operations at home and abroad."

Still, there are new requirements.  Before military UAVs will be allowed to fly routinely outside segregated airspace, additional technology such as sense-and-avoid needs to be developed, Eurocontrol said.  Additional work also will be necessary in other areas, such as airworthiness, security and operator training.  Once these issues have been addressed, Eurocontrol says the new specifications will ensure that ATM procedures for UAVs mirror those applicable to manned aircraft, and the provision of air traffic services to UAVs will be transparent to ATC controllers.

"Though the specifications are not mandatory we hope that a substantial number of States will choose to incorporate them into their national regulations," Mr. Strong said. "If they do so, it will be a significant contribution towards harmonizing air traffic management for military UAVs outside segregated airspace - something which is not the case at present." 12-04-2007.

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