UTM — A complementary set of services to ATM

Abstract

Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) operators are continuously exercising new, beneficial applications for sUAS operations, such as goods delivery, infrastructure inspection, search and rescue, and agricultural monitoring. Currently, no established infrastructure manages the widespread expansion of sUAS operations in the National Airspace. A safe and efficient UAS Traffic Management (UTM) system is needed to help ensure this newest entrant into the skies does not compromise safety. This paper provides an overview of UTM's current state and initial capabilities, operational environment, key objectives in support of the FAA's overall architecture; an overview of proposed data exchanges and the associated data model, and lists UTM has planned activities in Calendar Year (CY) 2018.