New Specification for Cooperative Detect and Avoid System Requirements
1. Scope
1. If needed for this ConOps (due to differences from F3442), create a process for defining performance based risk based distance standoffs (ex: LoWC and MACproxy, Well Clear, NMAC, etc).
2. Define risk criteria for certain categories of operational risks (example: low, medium and high) based on outputs from the Air Risk ORA standard, and which may be different from the risk ratios in F3442/F3442M.
3. Define required levels of reliability appropriate for the risk of the operation.
4. Define commonly used aviation cooperative transponders (ex: ADS-B, UAT, FLARM) and account for their performance (ex: latency).
5. Define validation requirements for each level of performance and reliability in assessing the system.
a. Hardware testing
b. Simulation requirements
c. Flight test requirements
Keywords
DAA, Collision Avoidance, Performance-Based, ADS-B, Well Clear, NMAC
Rationale
The existing ASTM DAA Standard (F3442/F3442M) addresses broad DAA requirements for operations in low and medium risk airspaces, and encompasses many different use cases, technologies and risk profiles through the application of UAS-specific risk formulas. F3442/F3442M also requires detection and avoidance of non-cooperative aircraft.
However, to date multiple operators have successfully secured broad-based FAA operational approval for their DAA systems using proven risk assessment and compliance approaches adopted from traditional aviation. These approaches diverge substantially from those used in F3442/F3442M, and to date they have demonstrated:
a. Successful completion of multiple FAA Safety Risk Management Reviews;
b. Compliance with the risk criteria of FAA Order 8040.6A Safety Risk Management, Appendix C;
c. Continued approval for BVLOS operations without the use of visual observers; and
d. Meeting or exceeding all FAA operational safety requirements since their approval.
These highly automated approaches in cooperative airspaces take a different approach from F3442/F3442M and this standard will address their concept of operations and performance requirements.
The title and scope are in draft form and are under development within this ASTM Committee.
Work Item Status
Date Initiated: 06-10-2025
Technical Contact: Dallas Brooks
Item: 000
Ballot:
Status: