“Honeywell Launches Innovative Ground Control Hub for the Future of eVTOL Flight”
Honeywell and Frequentis, a globally esteemed supplier of communication and information systems for control centers overseeing safety-critical operations headquartered in Austria, have accomplished a remarkable achievement in advancing the functionality of remotely piloted aircraft in European airspace within the SESAR Joint Undertaking OperA (Operate Anywhere) project consortium. During a successful flight trial, Honeywell unveiled an innovative ground control station for eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) vehicles. This innovation establishes a foundation for more secure and streamlined uncrewed aircraft operations and further consolidates Honeywell’s alignment with the significant megatrends of automation and the future of aviation.
The successful flight trial was conducted in Amstetten, Austria, in June and utilized sophisticated features of the dual-display ground control station, also operated from Honeywell’s research and development hub in Brno. With a collaborative interface linked to air traffic control, the operator of the ground control station was able to receive directives originating from air traffic control, boosting operational efficiency through real-time data exchange with various systems.
“As the air mobility industry evolves, Honeywell remains at the vanguard of delivering groundbreaking solutions that enhance both safety and efficiency. These demonstrations mark a vital progression towards integrating advanced air mobility systems into everyday airspace, promising substantial improvements in drone operations. Test flights like the one in Amstetten not only showcase cutting-edge technology but also reaffirm Honeywell’s dedication to shaping the future of aviation,” remarked David Shilliday, Vice President and General Manager, Advanced Air Mobility at Honeywell Aerospace Technologies.
Frequentis provided enhanced U-space services for the flight trial, including mission compliance monitoring and tactical conflict resolution. U-space, a forward-thinking air traffic management framework for unmanned aerial systems, incorporates a suite of new services grounded in a high level of digitization, functional automation, and precise procedures designed to safely accommodate a considerable number of drones within an airspace.
Employing both simulated and actual drones, Honeywell’s ground control station also demonstrated the initial application of a ground-based detect and avoid system, a safety feature engineered to enhance the security and reliability of drone flights, especially in uncontrolled airspace.
These demonstrations represent a significant leap forward in the Honeywell-led Project OperA, one of the two Honeywell initiatives supported through the latest funding round from the European Union’s SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking. Project OperA seeks to develop solutions for complex operations involving advanced air mobility, piloted eVTOL aircraft, and uncrewed cargo aircraft in real-world European airspace.
“The OperA research initiative provides Frequentis with an innovative platform to enhance existing solutions and develop new technologies. The validation process in Amstetten was a critical milestone in ensuring the seamless integration of the extended and highly automated U-space services, including mission compliance monitoring and tactical conflict resolution, with Honeywell’s ground control station and real-time data interchange,” commented Günter Graf, Vice President, New Business Development at Frequentis.
