Since October 2018, Nova Systems has spearheaded a consortium project to conduct research and development of UTM technologies in Singapore. - Photo credit: Nova Systems
Nova Systems and OneSky announced on Friday the successful completion of Singapore’s first Unmanned Aircraft System (“UAS”) Traffic Management (“UTM”) trials.
To conclude the trials, a UTM demonstration was held for CAAS on 10 March 2021. Using a mix of live flights and simulations, the demonstration showcased key developments and findings from the team’s work in UTM technologies over the past two years, in particular the handling of the mass deployment of drones flying Beyond Visual Line of Sight[3] (“BVLOS”).
During the demonstration, three drones took to the skies near Marina South Pier under the UTM system framework prototype, the first of its kind in Singapore. To demonstrate the robustness of the UTM system, simulated flights were uploaded concurrently as well
The trial allowed for the testing of numerous advanced UTM services, some not seen in any other project: including flight planning and authorization, strategic deconfliction, conformance monitoring, real time alerts, dynamic rerouting, constraint management, inter-USS communication and Remote Identification capabilities.
The trials brings to a close a two-year consortium project led by Nova, and co-founded as part of the UAS Call-For-Proposals (CFP) by the Ministry of Transport (“MOT”) and Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (“CAAS”).
The technology developed presents opportunities for Singapore’s UAS industry as a whole with large-scale drone deployment capable of supporting a range of critical operations, including surveillance patrols and delivery of essential supplies. Under pre-identified and monitored routes visualised through a UTM system, UAS operations are coordinated, regulated and safely integrated into the country’s urban airways, ensuring the safety and security of all citizens.
The demonstration is the final stage of the project, which is co-funded by MOT and CAAS following their Call-For-Proposal (“CFP”) in 2017 to develop systems and technologies to enable the innovative and wide-ranging use of UAS in Singapore. Since the project began in October 2018, the consortium saw the successful completion of two suites of flight trials in April and December 2019, including a study of the operational suitability of 4G and 5G networks to safely support UAS operations in Singapore. The project was also supported by various leading industry partners, including Rohde & Schwarz, Scout Aerial, M1 Limited, F-drones, and Barrett Aerospace.
“We are grateful for the support of CAAS as we reach this major milestone today,” said Ryan Lee, Managing Director Asia at Nova Systems. “While we are merely at the starting point of realising a future enhanced by UAS technology, the successful completion of Singapore’s first UTM trials serves as a catalyst to develop a robust and regulated UTM system. Designed specifically for our country’s unique landscape, our research and operations will support the continued development, deployment, and safe integration of UAS operations into the daily lives of Singaporeans.”
“We’re excited to have played a critical role in this successful UTM deployment – demonstrating the feasibility of safe and efficient integration of unmanned aircraft into the crowded airspace of Singapore,”: said Bob Hammett, CEO of OneSky. “. CAAS was an early proponent and thought leader for UTM and this trial marks a milestone in advancing Singapore’s Urban Air Mobility vision. We’re looking forward to expanding on this work and operationalising the technology across the region.”
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