AIRBORNE SYSTEMS & DEVICES

In this section we list companies who provide unmanned air system (UAS) platforms – from small UAS used to deliver packages or provide mapping services through to large cargo carrying drones and passenger transports.

ASSOCIATIONS

Drone and associated trade association industry bodies collect industry data, lobby governments and regulators, communicate industry concerns and achievements and promote the aims of their industry through standardisation and performance improvement initiatives.

CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITIES

CAAs are primarily national regulators, working with governments and international organisations to develop rules for the safe air transport of people and cargo. They will work with local authorities to determine how AAM operations can be supported safely.

GOVERNMENT SECURITY AGENCIES

Government security agencies include police, military and security personnel who are responsible for mitigating rogue drone incidents and for coordinating security activities with drone airspace management personnel.

GOVERNMENT TRANSPORT DEPARTMENTS

These are government departments responsible for developing transport infrastructure and networks in maritime, ground and air sectors. They work with other government departments – including CAAs and environment agencies – to develop national integrated transport systems.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Infrastructure providers – including rail networks, energy companies, water management organisations and ground transport providers – are using drones in increasing numbers to provide a wide range of activities for monitoring and securing infrastructure networks.

NATIONAL REGULATIONS

National governments have developed their own drone operating rules and certification criteria for operators, pilots and systems. These may differ from international regulations. This is a compendium of national drone rules from around the world, updated on a regular basis.

REGULATORS

The AAM industry is global but most regulatory activities are still carried out a national level. In Europe, there has been a common approach to developing regulations at the level of the European Union and globally the International Civil Aviation Organisation remains the regulatory benchmark for most States.

RESEARCH ORGANISATIONS

AAM technology, procedures and networking capabilities are being researched by academic, industry and private research organisations around the world. Many of these are State managed – including military technology research organisations financing civil applications.  

SERVICES (INDUSTRY)

There is a wide range of support activity to AAM operations, including insurance, legal and financial services. Many of these are becoming integrated into daily operations.

STANDARD BODIES

Standard bodies agree industry standards for a wide number of AAM applications so many players can network with suppliers, customers and competitors. These range from data sharing standards for the exchange of safety related data to mechanical and network standards.

SURVEILLANCE, DETECTION & MITIGATION

An integral part of any AAM eco-system is the requirement to detect rogue drones or drones which have strayed from their authorised flight paths. These companies provide capability to track cooperative and non-cooperative drones and to mitigate any behaviour emanating from rogue drone incidents. 

URBAN AIR TAXI OPERATORS

These companies provide air taxi services – from booking through to operational control of the AAM platform network. They are the airlines of the AAM world, integrating platforms, command & control networks and other services.

URBAN DRONE OPERATORS

These companies range from small organisations who may want to use a drone to examine the roof of a house to integrated logistics companies connecting hospitals and retail outlets within a complex autonomous network. They will all need to have operations certified to fly UAS over people.