Reliable Robotics to test DAA system under FAA contract

The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded a contract to Reliable Robotics for data collection flights of its Detect and Avoid (DAA) system in and around airport environments. Reliable is developing a DAA system that includes Air-to-Air Radar (ATAR). 

In 2017, the FAA published Technical Standard Orders (TSO) detailing how DAA systems, including ATAR, can be certified. The contract enables Reliable to demonstrate the use of its DAA system for uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) in controlled and uncontrolled airspace in compliance with FAA-accepted standards. 

The Reliable DAA system on board a UAS is designed to maintain a safe distance from other aircraft by performing both Remain Well Clear (RWC) and Collision Avoidance (CA) against cooperative and non-cooperative aircraft. During test flights, as part of the contract, Reliable will evaluate the system’s ability to provide alerts and manoeuvring guidance for remote pilots during in-air conflicts. The data collected will be shared with RTCA Special Committee 228 (SC-228) and Special Committee 147 (SC-147) to inform the validation of the next set of standards for advanced DAA systems.

Reliable will collaborate with one of the FAA’s UAS Test Sites, the Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership (MAAP). MAAP has a history of test planning efforts and the provision of data to the FAA to inform UAS integration. Flight tests will begin in 2025.