Project "Gold Dragon" - airborne detect-and-avoid for BVLOS drones enabling integration with new aviation systems

The primary objective for this project is to accelerate development and testing of a micro radar-based airborne detect-and-avoid solution for small/light drones enabling integration with new aviation systems. Our aim is to achieve approval for beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations in non-segregated airspace by the end of Future Flight Challenge Phase 2 so we can contribute more widely to Phase 3 and also look to start commercial drone services. Snowdonia Aerospace will be partnered by SwiftFlight Avionics and we have significant recent BVLOS experience working together as a team.

Snowdonia Aerospace and SwiftFlight Avionics have recently shown how satellite-enabled communication and navigation systems can contribute to a multiple redundant, fail-safe avionics architecture for a small drone that addresses many of the BVLOS issues required for regular and routine operation. The study concluded in a successful BVLOS demonstration in segregated airspace at the Snowdonia Aerospace Centre (SAC) in partnership with the Welsh Ambulance Service that showed proof-of-concept for delivery of a mini-defibrillator via drone to a remote/rural location that would be difficult to reach with an ambulance in a timely fashion. To address the additional surveillance requirements needed for operating in non-segregated airspace, we have further identified a micro detect-and-avoid radar that represents the state-of-the-art in small/light drone detect-and-avoid and testing either one in a UK environment and regulatory context will be a major innovation. We have adapted our avionics architecture to accommodate a radar and identified design options for a slightly larger twin-engine drone that will give us greater payload flexibility for the next phase of testing.

The team will draw upon previous detect-and-avoid simulation data provided by the manufacturer and will conduct verification and validation flight testing at SAC, initially using the BVLOS Danger Area to ensure that testing can be conducted in a safe, controlled and operationally representative environment. SAC will also provide general aviation (GA) assets as "intruder" aircraft to test the detect-and-avoid capability.

We have already built a successful relationship with the Welsh Ambulance Service via our recent demonstration activities and will continue to prioritise health services in remote and rural communities as part of this project along with the wider NHS Wales network. Flight testing in the operational environment provided at SAC will also allow us to involve other potential emergency response stakeholders - _e.g._ Police, Fire, Coastguard Search and Rescue, Mountain Rescue _etc_. - and we have already begun engagements to capture their key requirements.