Advanced air mobility looks ahead to automation

Using computer programs to help drive vehicles is not a new concept. But now attempts are being made to apply that idea to advanced air mobility aircraft, or AAMs, through new software algorithms and hardware such as sensors and radar. This type of technology could allow vehicles to operate without a pilot or, if present, increase safety. Examples of potential uses include helping the vehicle avoid bad weather, other aircraft, and take off and land safely.

As soon as it is developed, passengers and cargo will travel on demand in innovative and automated aircraft throughout the city, between neighboring cities or to other places that today are typically reached by car.

NASA experts on this topic are investigating the necessary automation. This is critical for the future of advanced air mobility aircraft, as many of the vehicles will have built-in algorithms to help the vehicle fly and perform functions. The software will handle airspace communication, flight path management, avoidance of other vehicles, and other functions necessary to operate in congested airspace.

One such effort is the National Campaign for the Integration of Automated Systems for Advanced Air Mobility Aircraft, or IAS. The purpose of the IAS is to test and validate the use of detection and automation programs in future advanced air mobility aircraft.

IAS-1 is scheduled for later this year, kicking off a multi-year testing campaign that will focus on testing the automation needed to enable increased Urban Air Mobility (UAM) operations.

During IAS-1, the team will use a highly modified research aircraft to evaluate various automation technologies and algorithms being tested under the AAM project. Over time, the algorithms will be able to automate all the tasks necessary to safely pass through national airspace, and will respond to a wide range of conditions or hazards that may affect the aircraft’s flight path.

This graphic illustrates how elements of automation could be integrated into future airspace. This type of technology could allow vehicles to operate without a pilot or, if present, increase safety. (Image: NASA)

Automated flight and contingency management

The Advanced Air Mobility Aircraft Automated Flight and Contingency Management subproject is investigating the automation of highly integrated vehicle and pilot interface systems. The automation of advanced air mobility aircraft will go beyond what is currently used in commercial transport. It works by assigning full responsibility for certain functions to the technology, allowing for an added layer of safety for the pilot in case of danger.

The objective is to support the creation of new standards for vehicle-pilot interface systems that allow collaborative and responsible automation. Simulator tests are currently underway and it is planned to test them on airplanes.

Air Traffic Management-eXploration

Another initiative is the Air Traffic Management-eXploration project. This project investigates how to transform the current air traffic management system into a more digitally integrated system with new airspace management technologies and services in preparation for advanced air mobility aircraft.

Experts are investigating future airspace service models that allow strategic and tactical conflicts between aircraft to be resolved. These models could also handle the capacity and demand of the airspace. The team is currently simulating urban air mobility (UAM) flights with aerospace industry partners in an activity called X4, in preparation for NC-1. This activity includes development and testing to ensure the scalability of operations.

System-wide security

The System-Wide Security project is evaluating how automation and other new technologies can affect security by analyzing potential design and operational risks. One of the activities is the development of the real-time aviation security management system, which can automate security assurance and risk management functions that are performed manually today.

System-wide security is also evaluating and creating design assurance approaches that allow the team to ensure that automation is as secure, or even more so, than the systems we use today.

Transformation tools and technologies

The Transformational Tools and Technologies project is creating new automation technology to help ground operators manage the potential volume of unmanned aircraft in the sky at the same time, enabling greater scale-up of operations than can be realized. get today. This future method of operation will include aircraft that fly without a pilot in the circle by using advanced detection capabilities and control algorithms that can handle emergency situations.

NASA’s goal for advanced air mobility aircraft is to chart a new system of safe, accessible, and affordable air transportation together with industry partners and the Federal Aviation Administration. (Source: NASA)