Drones set to share sky with domestic air traffic

Predator drone

The tests could pave the way for greater use of drones over domestic soil

Related Stories

Tests have been carried out to see whether military drones can mix safely in the air with passenger planes.

The tests involved a Predator B drone fitted with radio location systems found on domestic aircraft that help them spot and avoid other planes.

The tests will help to pave the way for greater use of drones in America's domestic airspace.

The flight tests took place off the coast of Florida in early August, but details have only just been released.

The Predator B used in the tests is a modified version of the Guardian drone typically used by the US navy. While such robot planes have been widely used in war zones and on military operations, their use over native soil has been restricted.

Politicians have given the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) until 2015 to prepare its air traffic systems for the use of drones, both commercial and military, over US territory.

For the tests it was fitted with a location system known as Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) that the FAA wants all domestic aircraft to use by 2020.

Once widely used, ADS-B will change America's air controls from a ground-based system to one that takes flight position data from satellites. By switching to this, the FAA hopes to simplify the job of managing air traffic and improve safety.

The drone completed its trials successfully, said a statement from drone maker General Atomics. The drone's location and flight path were precisely monitored throughout its flight, said the defence firm, and suggests such craft can "fly cooperatively and safely" in domestic US airspace.

More tests are planned.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-20139093

Views: 88

Comment

You need to be a member of 12160 Social Network to add comments!

Join 12160 Social Network

"Destroying the New World Order"

TOP CONTENT THIS WEEK

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE SITE!

mobile page

12160.info/m

12160 Administrators

 

Latest Activity

FREEDOMROX's blog post was featured
55 minutes ago
cheeki kea commented on cheeki kea's blog post WHY YOU MUST UNDERSTAND AMYLOIDOSIS AND AMYLOID PLAQUES June 13, 2022
4 hours ago
FREEDOMROX posted a blog post
7 hours ago
Doc Vega posted blog posts
9 hours ago
Doc Vega commented on Doc Vega's blog post The Many Keys to Deadly Secrecy in our Government
"cheeki kea, thanks so much for your support."
12 hours ago
FREEDOMROX posted a blog post
yesterday
cheeki kea favorited Doc Vega's blog post The Many Keys to Deadly Secrecy in our Government
Thursday
cheeki kea commented on cheeki kea's photo
Thursday
cheeki kea posted a photo
Wednesday
cheeki kea replied to cheeki kea's discussion Tartaria
"Greetings to you John, You're right and it didn't take long for those manuals to totally…"
Wednesday
Doc Vega posted a blog post

The Many Keys to Deadly Secrecy in our Government

We now know thanks to the legislation of FOIA access to federal documents and evidence and the…See More
Wednesday
Less Prone favorited tjdavis's photo
Wednesday
Less Prone favorited rlionhearted_3's photo
Wednesday
John Miller commented on rlionhearted_3's photo
Thumbnail

Another incredibly Stupid!! What, no mirrors?

"Brutal post... not sure it’s helping anyone though."
Tuesday
John Miller replied to cheeki kea's discussion Tartaria
"Tartaria: the empire that built half the world's cathedrals, then vanished because someone…"
Tuesday
Burbia commented on rlionhearted_3's photo
Thumbnail

Another incredibly Stupid!! What, no mirrors?

"This movie portrayed plastic surgery as absurd. I guess the numbers in the real world are growing."
Tuesday
Burbia commented on tjdavis's photo
Thumbnail

Redux

"Ah yes, General Jussitri Smolletkov. Good tongzhi. Good tongzhi."
Tuesday
Doc Vega posted a blog post

Unusual Discoveries and Headlines

Archaeologists have discovered an ancient tool dated to be 6,000 years old, but even more…See More
Monday
tjdavis posted a video

Inside Texas HOMELESS HELL – Even Cops Don't Dare Step In! - Documentary

In this powerful documentary, we explore the escalating Texas homeless crisis 2025, where cities and rural areas alike are witnessing a disturbing rise in th...
Monday
tjdavis posted a photo
Monday

© 2025   Created by truth.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service

content and site copyright 12160.info 2007-2019 - all rights reserved. unless otherwise noted