Modern Technologies Enabling Safe and Secure UAV Operation in Urban Airspace

Book excerpt: The use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or ‘drones’ continues to increase, and keeping up to date with technological, legal and commercial developments related to this domain is important, particularly with regard to safety and security in regional and border security operations. This book presents edited contributions from the NATO Advanced Training Course (ATC) entitled “Modern technologies enabling safe and secure UAV operation in urban airspace”, held in Agadir, Morocco, from 25 to 30 November 2019. Participants included experienced scientists and industry engineers involved in UAV development and activity, and the aim of the ATC was to increase awareness among all NATO and partner countries of the safety and security challenges raised by UAV flights in urban airspace, as well as sharing the knowledge and expertise of specialists working to advance the technologies and capabilities that will enhance safety and security across NATO and its partner countries. The ATC began with a presentation about current UAV technologies, and the technological features that might present a threat to the safety of commercial or military airspace applications. Other topics covered included the U-space concept; management of UAV operations in controlled airspace; integration of manned and unmanned aviation; testing and certification of UAVs; autonomous UAV flights; application of UAVs in urban airspace; and BVLOS flights and sensors for UAV navigation and communication. The book will be of interest to all those working with UAVs or seeking to develop and encourage their use, particularly for security purposes.