FAA's NextGen System Paves the Way for Drone Integration

The Federal Aviation Administration's NextGen system has transformed the technology behind U.S. air traffic management, and is now operational. The FAA is looking toward the next phase of airspace modernization, which includes integrating drones and other emerging aircraft into the National Airspace System.

The Federal Aviation Administration has released a new fact sheet outlining the changes to the National Airspace System and plans for continued modernization.

The Next Generation Air Transportation System, also known as NextGen, has moved the system toward digital communications, satellite-enabled navigation and surveillance, automation, and integrated data sharing.

The FAA says NextGen programs are now operational, with digital communications supplementing voice communications between pilots and controllers. Navigation and surveillance have shifted from ground-based systems to primarily satellite-enabled technology. Information sharing has advanced from segmented systems to enterprise-level sharing through a single connection.

Benefits of NextGen

The FAA says NextGen delivered $10.9 billion in benefits between 2010 and 2023. These benefits came from more than 20 capabilities implemented more than 200 times across the country.

Digitizing and Connecting the Airspace

Several technologies underpin the transition. Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) replaced ground-based radar as the primary source of aircraft surveillance. Performance Based Navigation provides more precise routes and procedures that primarily use satellite-enabled navigation.

Data Communications allows controllers and pilots to exchange some instructions digitally instead of relying only on radio communications.

System Wide Information Management (SWIM) provides a common infrastructure for sharing aeronautical, flight, weather and surveillance information in near-real time. The FAA calls SWIM the “digital data-sharing backbone of NextGen.”

Where Drones Fit Into NextGen

The FAA specifically includes uncrewed aircraft in its discussion of “Non-Traditional Operations.” The agency says it is developing traffic management concepts and evaluating technologies to safely incorporate UAS, spacecraft and other emerging aircraft into the NAS without disrupting existing traffic.

The FAA identifies DroneZone, the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC), Airborne Collision Avoidance System and Remote Identification as technologies supporting UAS growth and integration. It also points to published concepts of operation for UAS Traffic Management and Urban Air Mobility.

Beyond NextGen

The fact sheet concludes by looking toward the next phase of airspace modernization. “With NextGen firmly in place, the FAA is beginning to pivot to a new iteration of airspace modernization,” the agency states. The FAA describes a future airspace system interconnected through communications networks and flexible enough to accommodate diverse operations.

Traffic management services, the agency says, will integrate an increased number and variety of aircraft and new missions into the NAS.

Source: DRONELIFE