A Milestone in UAS Operations: FAA Publishes Anzen Unmanned’s Final Report on Multi-UAS (m:N) BVLOS Operations
In late March 2024, the FAA published the public version of Anzen Unmanned’s groundbreaking final report for the FAA UAS Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) project, titled "Piloting Multiple, Simultaneous UAS BVLOS". This report marks a significant milestone in the field of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS, a.k.a., drones) pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in commercial drone operations.
Under the leadership of Wendy Ljungren and the dedicated team at Anzen Unmanned alongside partners Asylon Robotics, NUAIR, and Purdue University, the project successfully developed and tested a flexible, scalable framework for the operation of multiple drones by a single pilot beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS). This capability is not just a technological advancement; it is a transformative shift in how drone operations can be managed, paving the way for enhanced efficiency and effectiveness in a variety of applications including surveillance, delivery services, survey, inspection, agriculture, and emergency response.
Key Highlights of the Project
Innovation in Automation and Control: The project established minimum criteria, a safety approval framework, and released open-source flight control software updates, creating a foundation for operators to manage multiple drones simultaneously.
Comprehensive Testing: Rigorous simulation and flight tests were conducted to ensure safety and reliability, validating the methodology and resulting in an FAA approved BVLOS (107.31) and multi-UAS (107.35) waiver showing that, using the methodology, a single remote operator can effectively manage multiple drones without compromising operational safety.
Foundation for Future Standards: The findings and methodologies from this project formed the starting point for future industry standards, offering a blueprint that can be adopted and adapted by UAS operators worldwide.
Importance for Commercial Success
The ability to safely control multiple drones by a single pilot is a game-changer for the drone industry. It allows for scalability of operations without a proportional increase in human resources, significantly reducing costs and improving response times. This capability is essential for the future of commercial drone operations, making services more accessible and efficient.
Anzen Unmanned is committed to advancing drone technology and its applications, ensuring that the benefits of these innovations are realized across industries. We look forward to continuing our work with the FAA and our partners, driving forward the standards and capabilities of unmanned flight.
The public version of the final report can be accessed through the FAA’s UAS Test Site page here: https://www.faa.gov/uas/programs_partnerships/test_sites/PUBLIC_ANZEN-Final-Report-Au-REP-0048.pdf
Learn More at AUVSI XPONENTIAL 2024 and Beyond
Two sessions at AUVSI XPONENTIAL 2024 will provide more information about the path to multi-UAS operations:
Human Factors Analysis for Operating Multiple Automated UAS BVLOS
Automation Enabling Multiple Drones at the Same Time (Safely and Legally)…
For more details on the project and to access the full report, as well as how the methodology can enable multi-UAS (m:N) for your operations, please visit our website or contact our project team at Anzen Unmanned. Join us in shaping the future of unmanned flight!