RA-1 Multi-mode Collision Avoidance Technology for UAVs

Existing collision avoidance systems for manned aircraft are based on exchanging data between aircraft equipped with transponders. These have been adopted for unmanned air vehicles (UAVs). Traffic alert data is conveyed from the onboard equipment to a Ground Control (GCS) Interface computer, which relays it via data link to the GCS for display to the UAV operator. This approach works for cooperative aircraft, but not for non-cooperative traffic. MMCAS will combine a transponder-based system with an optical system, thereby providing a complete, robust collision avoidance solution that addresses both cooperative and non-cooperative traffic.