NASA Backs Reliable Robotics to Test Autonomous Flights Near Airports

• Reliable Robotics will conduct autonomous flight tests using its Cessna 208B Caravan to simulate both standard and emergency operations in active airspace.
• Data from the tests will be shared with NASA, the FAA, and industry groups to support the development of UAS performance and safety standards.

NASA has contracted Reliable Robotics to conduct a series of autonomous flight tests near airports in the national airspace. Reliable will use its automated Cessna 208B Caravan to perform both standard operations and emergency procedures, including lost link and GPS-denied scenarios. The goal is to generate data for FAA and industry groups developing rules for safely integrating uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) into high-traffic airspace.

Reliable Robotics’s FAA-certifiable Reliable Autonomy System (RAS) is designed to automate all phases of flight, from taxi to landing. The aircraft-agnostic platform integrates onboard systems for flight control, redundancy, and contingency response. It includes a Detect and Avoid system that enables airspace integration. In the test campaign, the system will be used in remotely piloted flights involving air traffic coordination, visual clearances, and contingency scenarios such as lost link and GPS-denied environments.

“This testing campaign comes at a unique moment in time, when safety-enhancing aircraft autonomy is rapidly nearing FAA certification and entry into service for regional air cargo and military use cases. Efforts like this are how we continue to advance the necessary public policy ecosystem,” said Robert Rose, CEO and co-founder, Reliable Robotics, in a press release. “We deeply value the continued partnership with NASA to conduct testing that will advance industry-wide efforts to expand remotely piloted aircraft operations at airports.”

As part of the contract, Reliable will provide documentation of tested functions and data collection results to NASA, the FAA, and Standards Development Organizations. The information will be used to support the development and validation of performance standards for large uncrewed aircraft systems. The contract reflects Reliable’s continued collaboration with NASA on aircraft autonomy.

🌀 Tom’s Take:

Testing uncrewed systems near airports, with FAA, NASA, and industry coordination, shows UAS are transitioning from limited use to full integration in controlled airspace.

Source: Business Wire/ Reliable Robotics