Raytheon Company has signed a strategic agreement with drone experts AirMap to collaborate on future projects to safely integrate unmanned aerial systems (UAS) into the national airspace system and unlock the positive economic and social benefits of expanded commercial drone operations.
The agreement will see Raytheon’s Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System, used by air traffic controllers across the US, to provide safe and efficient aircraft spacing and sequencing guidance for more than 40,000 departing and arriving aircraft.
“AirMap is ushering in a new era in drone aviation,” said Matt Gilligan, vice president of Raytheon’s intelligence, information and services business. “Drones must safely operate in an already complex ecosystem, which is where our experience matters.”
The two companies are working toward an integrated demonstration that will showcase how AirMap’s unmanned aircraft traffic management platform can increase air traffic controllers’ awareness of potential conflict between drones and manned aircraft near airports to ensure overall safety of the airspace.