What are the challenges our aviation clients are facing?
Our aviation clients face several complex challenges, including the safe and efficient integration of drones into the National Airspace System (NAS). As drone operations continue to expand, they unlock new market opportunities in areas such as aerial photography, infrastructure inspection, and package delivery from major carriers. At Tetra Tech, we work with clients to navigate challenges related to regulatory compliance, technological advancements, and maintaining operational efficiency. Collaborative ecosystems are needed to address these challenges by mitigating the risks associated with emerging aviation technology, providing operational support, and facilitating research and development for future trends.
How is UTM addressing the growing complexity of modern airspace?
UTM is the digital infrastructure ecosystem that manages how uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS), such as drones, operate in shared airspace. It establishes connections between UAS operators to exchange operational information and coordinate operations so they remain safely separated within the airspace. This is achieved through agreed operating practices and business rules embedded in the automation, which help deconflict operations before the UAS takeoff. In 2021 there were just over 873,000 registered drones in the U.S., and by 2025, that number has surpassed 1 million. This rapid growth underscores the growing need for robust traffic management systems like UTM to maintain safe and efficient airspace operations.
Continued consumer demand for new services from uncrewed operations, especially in high density urban areas, is driving the need for broader airspace access and integration with crewed aircraft operations. Systems such as UTM and low altitude authorization and notification capability (LAANC) are early examples of how airspace services and ATM systems are evolving toward data exchange and service delivery processes in FAA operational systems. These systems support a collaborative exchange of data between operators and FAA air traffic systems.