NAS operational implications and infrastructure changes for UAS integration

There are a number of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) major automated systems and developmental programs that interoperate to support the day to day functional operations of the National Airspace System (NAS). The integration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) into the NAS will require interaction with this automation. The purpose of this paper is to provide insight into the degree that these systems are prepared to accommodate those interactions. The rationale behind this assessment includes the ongoing discussions about FAA delays relative to accommodation of UAS operations, the need to understand the technical and operational impediments to seamless integration of UAS operations into the National Airspace System (NAS), and the compelling commercial arguments for UAS integration. The authors are supporting efforts to advance the development and evaluation UAS capabilities to facilitate operations within the NAS. These efforts encompass engineering and technical services attendant to examining, evaluating, and assessing various activities envisioning a broader picture of a future NAS in which UAS operations are unimpeded and occur with much greater frequency than today. Examining the relevant operational, technical, and procedural implications of increased UAS missions, in addition to exploring the potential impacts of accelerated UAS usage on NAS dynamics, are critically important efforts necessary so that all stakeholders can appreciate operational impacts. The paper addresses the results of research project to examine the existing NextGen portfolio vis-à-vis emerging UAS capabilities. The research study effort covers the relevant operational, technical, and procedural implications of increased UAS missions in the NAS. The key NAS platforms are reviewed and areas of significant effects on traditional air traffic control (ATC) paradigms and procedures, as well as on current automation and communications infrastructure are presented.