The testing consisted of a moving “dynamic protection zone” around the UAS, providing alerts to the UAS pilot as airborne objects approach to avoid near mid-air collisions. To mitigate interference from wind turbines near airports, GBSAA also builds on wind farm mitigation technology. 

Pilots and controllers were given alerts of interfering airborne objects near surrogate unmanned aerial systems and were able to keep them safely separated using Raytheon’s ASR-11, the STARS automation system, and its surveillance data processor, repurposed for GBSAA.

"Our solution provides the Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of Defense with a cost-effective and safe approach to handle the thousands of unmanned aerial systems that’ll be flying in our airspace in the next few years," Raytheon Network Centric Systems Director of Air Traffic Management Joseph Paone said in a statement.

"Our system properly notifies controllers and pilots of intrusions and accurately shows aircraft altitude, which is important in keeping commercial aircraft, unmanned aerial systems and other hazards safely separated.”

ASR-11, the STARS system and its surveillance data processor have been NAS-certified for use in safely separating aircraft today and the testing of GBSAA will continue across the country.