CSG has delivered a system to Air Navigation Services of the Czech Republic (ANS CR) that is designed to support the implementation of U-space.
The CIS+ (Common Information Service) system, built on the MAIA platform, was developed by UpVision, a member of CSG’s Aerospace & Defence Electronics subdivision. It will now undergo operational implementation and certification, with full deployment expected in the second half of 2027.
Appropriate operational conditions must be established to support and maintain air traffic safety in an environment where conventional manned aircraft and large numbers of uncrewed systems will operate side by side. As part of the implementation of U-space in Czech airspace, CSG says the delivered system will enable the safe coordination of a rapidly growing number of drones with other airspace users.
CIS+ provides several digital services. These include the consolidation and distribution of information on geographical zones and restrictions applicable to uncrewed aircraft operations, the sharing of approved flight authorisations, the real-time identification and tracking of drones, and the provision of information on all aircraft operations, including traditional manned flights.
The system also enables the sharing of information on deviations from approved drone flight plans and the delivery of meteorological data from ANS CR operational systems to U-space service providers. It includes services for locating U-space service providers and sharing information about their availability.
CSG says the system can be directly integrated with the conventional air traffic management system. “Operational information and meteorological data can be transferred from ANS CR’s ATM system directly into the U-space environment through the relevant interface,” the company said in a 9 November press release. “The system also enables the digital processing of operational requests falling within the remit of ANS CR.”
Citing an example of changing airspace conditions, CSG says that if ANS CR announces a temporary restriction, for instance due to an air ambulance operation, an air show or a visit by a head of state, CIS+ digitally distributes this information to all connected U-space service providers.
Similarly, the system can process a request to operate a drone in airspace where coordination with ANS CR is required. The request is forwarded for assessment via CIS+, and the decision made by ANS CR is subsequently distributed automatically to the relevant service providers.
CIS+ also enables the sharing of information on flights that have already been approved. When drones operated through different U-space service providers share the same airspace, each provider can access the information needed to coordinate operations.
The MAIA platform was developed by a multidisciplinary team of experts in software development, air traffic management, U-space, digital infrastructure and security technologies. It builds on experience gained through European projects including CERTIFLIGHT, U-Space4UAM and ATM-EXCITE.
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