Small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) categorization framework for low altitude traffic services

Within the context of unmanned aircraft system (UAS) traffic management (UTM), an small UAS (sUAS) categorization framework has been established for low altitude traffic services to enable safe and efficient sUAS operations. This is achieved on the foundation of understanding the existing manned aircraft, model aircraft, and UAS categorization methods, and the effects of sUAS design and operational characteristics on the trajectory of the sUAS itself and interactions the sUAS may have with the environment, other aerial vehicles, people, and structures on the ground. The framework includes categorization methods for each of the following aspects: aircraft configuration, type of flight, flight rules, performance-based navigation (PBN) capabilities, flight and operations control, and vehicle flight performance. Initial criteria for the categorization methods were discussed along with additional analysis needs to improve and refine the framework.