Sweden’s air navigation service provider LFV along with industry partners RISE and Flypulse are investigating whether drones surveillance can be used for monitoring small airports. Sundsvall and Örnsköldsvik airports are part of the project. “This is part of LFV’s research on increasing automation at airports. The overall aim is to increase safety and cost-effectiveness for airports in areas where technology creates new opportunities. LFV’s role in the sub-project “drone for surveillance” is to support with operational competencies regarding airspace and regulatory issues, said Gunnar Olsson, project owner at LFV.
LFV also reports that work is progressing on research project “SWEDEMO”, investigating the integration of drones into existing airspace. LFV is undertaking this project together with Saab, Sjöfartsverket, UMS Skeldar, FMV and NECST. The project is funded by Vinnova and the Swedish Transport Administration.
According to LFV: “It is an important work to develop the ways we can use airspace most efficiently when many operators, both manned traffic and drones have to operate at the same time and in a safe and efficient manner. The focus is to find technical facilities, new efficient routes and models to avoid collisions and be able to test systems.
On 24 October, a project demonstration was held at Malmö Airport.
Meanwhile, on 22 October, the unmanned aviation industry gathered at the UAS Forum in Linköping. There, Billy Josefsson, LFV Research & Innovation, along with Danwei Tran Lucian, PhD student – Linköping University, spoke about the future air traffic management of drones.
LFV operates two projects together with Linköping University; UTM 50 and UTM OK. UTM 50 visualizes future drone traffic and how air traffic management as regulation and services can create a monitored and safe airspace ahead. UTM OK analyzes airspace issues. The project is the basis of an automated route planning system for the allocation and monitoring of airspace utilization.
“LFV operates for both route planning, safety and concept development, also through integrating knowledge and results with our delivery of air traffic management services, we can continue to be a leading operator,” said Billy Josefsson.
