ASTREA3a

ASTRAEA3a (Autonomous Systems Technology Related Airborne Evaluation & Assessment Phase 3a) was established to develop the technologies and the necessary regulatory understanding to ultimately enable the routine operation of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) in non-segregated airspace.

Phase 3 of the ASTRAEA programme focused upon the demonstration of ‘virtual qualification and certification’ of an exemplar platform, specifically a surrogate UAS. The 18-month programme commenced in January 2014 to consolidate regulatory work from the earlier phases and continue work on virtual certification with the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Earlier, phases 1 and 2 addressed underpinning technological development, advances in regulatory frameworks and understanding potential civil UAS operations. These phases culminated in a Jetstream ‘flying test bed’ flight from the BAE Systems site in Warton, Lancashire, to Inverness, Scotland in April 2013, overseen by a human safety pilot.

The ASTRAEA programme was initially established to develop the technologies and the necessary regulatory understanding to ultimately enable the routine operation of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) in non-segregated airspace. ASTRAEA was a world-leading programme addressing the technologies and safety standards required to introduce civil uncrewed aircraft into UK airspace and to generate significant spin-out benefits into crewed aviation. It was internationally recognised as a pioneering programme in tackling the complex issues associated with UAS airspace regulation though a ‘whole systems’ approach and significantly advanced the understanding of the associated complex multi-disciplinary issues.

ASTRAEA aimed to contribute to the safety standards with the European Standards organisation, EUROCAE, and support implementation of the European Roadmap for the introduction of uncrewed aircraft with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The ASTRAEA Phase 3 research specifically focused upon the validation work required to satisfy regulators that it would be safe to integrate uncrewed aircraft into general shared airspace.

The impact of ASTRAEA Phase 3 programme was significant across the collaborating organisations and beyond, with contributions to the following:

1. Creating a common understanding between the industry partners of the technical challenges associated with integrating uncrewed aircraft within regulated airspace, including the development and certification of novel technologies to address these challenges.
2. Generating specific insights into the technical and cultural challenges associated with virtual certification techniques and processes, particularly as a result of working across civil and defence domains and in partnership with the CAA.
3. Supporting the development of airborne autonomy related safety standards with the European Standards organisation.
4. Implementing aspects of the European Roadmap for the introduction of uncrewed aircraft with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
5. Fostering robust and effective collaboration across a range of organisations who would otherwise have been unlikely to work together
6. Beginning to change public perception regarding the potential benefits of deploying uncrewed aircraft in UK airspace vs. the somewhat negative feelings prevalent at the time.

ASTRAEA Phase 3 aimed to expand the list of enabling technologies, which addressed specific UAS operating considerations including the following:

1. Weather hazard avoidance
2. Emergency recovery
3. ‘Ramp-to-ramp’ operating procedures
4. Prognostics, health & contingency management
5. Autonomous air-to-air refuelling
6. Intelligent power management

Whilst it was originally expected that the need for novel technologies might have posed the most significant challenge to the project, the greater hurdles were actually associated with the need for cultural and mind-set change regarding the integration and regulation of UAS in shared airspace. The active collaboration of Civil and Defence industries, and the UK CAA as programme partners was critical to addressing and overcoming this challenge.