In an effort to strengthen electronic conspicuity, improve situational awareness and enable the safe integration of manned and unmanned aircraft, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has released an updated specification.
EASA says the release, ADS-L 4 SRD860 Issue 2, “further advances the Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Light (ADS-L) specification as an acceptable means of compliance for uncontrolled manned aircraft to remain electronically conspicuous when entering U-space airspace”.
In addition to supporting access to U-space airspace, ADS-L 4 SRD860 is intended to reduce the risk of mid-air collisions and associated fatalities in any airspace, while also facilitating safe beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone operations outside U-space through improved overall situational awareness and interoperability.
“Building on the foundations laid down in Issue 1, which utilises unlicensed frequency bands and uncertified devices, ADS-B 4 SRD860 Issue 2 improves the set of requirements based on experience with initial implementations. It also adds important performance characteristics and introduces a new ground-to-air retransmission capability,” EASA said on December 1. “The development of ADS-L 4 SRD860 Issue 2 reflects the outcome of extensive collaboration between regulators and industry stakeholders, including device and avionics manufacturers, operators and user associations. Their contributions were essential to ensuring that the specification remains proportionate, future-proof, and aligned with operational realities.”
Updates include clarifications and improvements to transmission requirements, incorporating lessons learned and feedback following Issue 1; new provisions enabling ground-to-air retransmission of traffic information and other aeronautical data, including hazard notifications; cross-reference to the applicable remote identification standard, indicating intention for future expansion of ADS-L applicability to drone operations; and improved network interoperability and forward compatibility by enabling ADS-L 4 SRD860 devices to broadcast their own capabilities.
In addition to the new release, EASA is inviting interested industry stakeholders, including aviation manufacturers and user associations, to participate in the ADS-L Coalition initiative. This collaborative forum aims to support harmonised implementation, promote innovation and foster continued alignment between regulators and industry on ADS-L developments.
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Image: EASA via LinkedIn
