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Indra has successfully validated a new collision detection and avoidance system for unmanned aircraft during a series of test flights conducted at the Aerohíspalis airfield in Seville.
The system was tested using a multirotor Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) equipped with a combination of optical cameras and radar sensors. During these exercises, the technology successfully detected an Indra TARSIS-family UAV at distances reaching one kilometer, allowing the aircraft to execute optimal avoidance maneuvers. The testing recreated various flight profiles, including different trajectories, altitudes, and speeds, to verify performance in scenarios typical of an Unmanned Traffic Management environment at altitudes up to 2,000 meters.
Technical capabilities of the system include the fusion of information from multiple onboard cameras to provide a 360-degree field of view. This allows the system to discriminate between small or distant targets, while an electronically steered radar provides essential data during low-visibility conditions. High onboard processing capacity supports advanced algorithms designed to optimize decision-making during flight.
This development is part of the strategic program of the Galician Aerospace Hub, where Indra works in a joint venture with Tecnobit-Grupo Oesía. The collaboration focuses on creating drone-based solutions for critical missions, including rescue operations, the detection of marine spills, and forest fire extinguishing.
As part of this broader initiative, the companies are developing VTOL-type UAS platforms featuring hybrid electric and combustion propulsion for extended autonomy. These medium-sized UAVs are designed to carry payloads of up to 20 kilograms to meet current market demands.
The successful completion of these anti-collision tests represents a decisive step in ensuring these platforms can operate safely in complex environments, particularly those involving drone swarms or airspaces shared with manned aircraft.
