UTM – Unmanned Traffic Management

Much like vertiports, Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) is a critical tool for managing the growing number of eVTOL and drone operations in shared and segregated airspace. It serves as a cooperative platform for stakeholders such as drone operators, National Aviation Authorities (NAA), Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSP), and traditional Air Traffic Management (ATM) to determine and communicate real-time airspace status for drones of all sizes. UTM helps ensure the safety of low-altitude drone operations and enables permanent broadcasting of drone position and communication between drones, manned aircraft, operators, and ANSPs.

 At its core, UTM includes several core elements, including registration, strategic deconfliction, monitoring and alerting, tactical deconfliction, and remote identification. During the registration process, drone operators, pilots, and drones are registered with the required information in accordance with local regulations. Strategic deconfliction assesses and schedules flight plans to ensure safe distances from other airspace users, while monitoring and alerting provides live monitoring of individual flights and alerts operators and other airspace users in the event of deviations from the agreed plan. Tactical deconfliction allows for modifications to the flight plan during the flight in response to unplanned airspace events, and remote identification identifies the drone in operation and provides information about its speed, position, and direction. 

UTM plays a critical role in managing drone traffic in controlled airspace and will eventually manage BVLOS flights in non-segregated airspace. The ultimate goal of UTM is to support ANSPs in maintaining a safe airspace and provide the necessary infrastructure for safe and efficient air mobility and drone operations. The development of UTM will continue to evolve as the number of drone operations increases, and it will be essential for the sustainable growth of AAM.

Find out more about Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) as well as all components of AAM in our Advanced Air Mobility Report:

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