Thales Demonstrates ECOsystem Unmanned Traffic Management to FAA

By Mike Ball / 23 Oct 2017

Smart Sourcing for Unmanned Systems

Discover cutting-edge solutions from leading global suppliers
SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT
Follow UST

Drone flying

Thales has announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has selected the company as part of a small group that will support the FAA’s effort to simplify the process for small unmanned aircraft system (UAS) operators to comply with current US regulations and safely integrate their operations into the US National Airspace System (NAS).

Thales’ ECOsystem UTM (Unmanned Traffic Management) is a flexible platform designed to bridge the gap between the safety and security requirements of national & local authorities and the operational needs of civil UAS users. The platform provides an automated means for UAS users to validate their mission against relevant regulations and conform to required authorization and notification processes. In the US, Thales is supporting the incorporation of the FAA Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) concepts into the validation and workflow engine of ECOSystem UTM. The solution is now connected to the FAA’s LAANC infrastructure and ready for validation/testing.

“The number of drones is constantly growing and air traffic authorities urgently need solutions to manage their presence in the airspace, the same as any other type of aircraft. Today’s demonstration highlights Thales’s commitment to the US market and its readiness to support this critical need for the FAA and for ANSPs around the world,” said Jean Marc Alias, Thales Vice President for Air Traffic Management.

Thales initially demonstrated the automated flight authorization and notification processes of ECOsystem at the Air Traffic Control Association (ATCA) conference. The cloud-hosted, cyber-secured ECOsystem UTM application applied the rules and workflow defined for the FAA LAANC program to individual planned UAS missions in order to facilitate automated authorization and notification for compliant missions.

Posted by Mike Ball Mike Ball is our resident technical editor here at Unmanned Systems Technology. Combining his passion for teaching, advanced engineering and all things unmanned, Mike keeps a watchful eye over everything related to the unmanned technical sector. With over 10 years’ experience in the unmanned field and a degree in engineering, Mike’s been heading up our technical team here for the last 8 years. Connect & Contact

Latest Articles

GA-ASI Spotlights Advanced Uncrewed Systems at Paris 2025

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems is internationally showcasing a full-scale model of the company’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) at the Paris Air Show 2025 at Stand B-176, Hall 3

Jun 16, 2025
Cambridge Pixel Collaboration to Advance Police Forces C-UAS Technology

Cambridge Pixel and OpenWorks Engineering are collaborating to deliver adaptable counter-drone systems tailored for European law enforcement agencies

Jun 16, 2025
New Crewed-Uncrewed Teaming Solution for Airborne UAS Control

Airbus Helicopters has launched HTeaming, a modular crewed-uncrewed solution that enables helicopter crews to take full control of UAS while airborne

Jun 16, 2025
Neousys to Present Rugged Embedded Computers for UAVs at Paris Air Show

Neousys Technology and Factory Systemes will showcase IP69K edge AI computers and lightweight AI mission computers for drones and robotics at Paris Air Show 2025

Jun 16, 2025
New Autonomous Robot Streamlines Outdoor Data Collection Tasks

Canadian robotics company Optimotive introduces the IRIS MK2, a rugged autonomous robot built to automate data collection in demanding outdoor environments

Jun 16, 2025
Enhancing Point Cloud Accuracy with YellowScan’s New Smoothing Feature

YellowScan’s new Smoothing feature enhances point cloud data by reducing noise, improving accuracy, and preserving critical details for better geospatial analysis

Jun 16, 2025

Featured Content

MEMS DC Accelerometers from SDI Deliver Superior Performance for Unmanned Systems

SDI's MEMS DC accelerometers offer a robust solution for unmanned aerial, ground, and underwater vehicles, providing precise static and dynamic motion sensing, crucial for autonomous navigation, attitude feedback, and structural monitoring

Jun 12, 2025
Calian GNSS Unveils New Anti-Jamming CRPA with XF+ Filtering

Calian GNSS has introduced the CR8894SXF+, a compact CRPA antenna with in-band null forming and XF+ filtering for resilient GNSS performance in interference-prone environments

Jun 06, 2025
Honeywell Introduces HG3900 Tactical-Grade IMU with Enhanced Sensor Accuracy

Honeywell has introduced the HG3900 IMU, a MEMS-based device with tactical-grade accuracy, offering significant SWaP advantages for precision navigation systems

Jun 05, 2025
Advancing Unmanned Systems Through Strategic Collaboration UST works with major OEMs to foster collaboration and increase engagement with SMEs, to accelerate innovation and drive unmanned systems capabilities forward.