scope:

Introduction

This document contains Minimum Operational Performance Standards (MOPS) for Detect and Avoid (DAA) systems used in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) transiting through Class B, C, D, E, and G airspace and performing extended operations higher than 400' Above Ground Level (AGL) in Class D, E (up to Flight Level (FL) 180), and G airspace. It includes equipment to enable UAS operations in Terminal Areas during approach and departure in Class C, D, E and G airspace and off-airport locations. It does not apply to small UAS (sUAS) operating in low-level environments (below 400') or other segmented areas. Likewise, it does not apply to operations in the Visual Flight Rules (VFR) traffic pattern of an airport or to surface operations. For a complete description of operations and environments, refer to Appendix A. These standards specify DAA system characteristics that should be useful for designers, manufacturers, installers and users of the equipment.

These MOPS focus on Unmanned Aircraft (UA) to enable safe flight in airspace normally frequented by commercial transport and general aviation aircraft. Aircraft operations in all classes of airspace vary from operation under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) in Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) airspace to VFR operations with minimal onboard equipage. The onboard equipment needed to detect the variety of aircraft types defined in these MOPS at sufficient distance and closure rates to prevent the risk of collision may limit the size of the UA in which this equipment can be integrated. The UA will need to carry relatively large and high-power sensor systems, which could weigh 50 pounds or more. Alternatively, these MOPS also allow a class of equipment where all sensors are on the ground, which enables operations of UAS with reduced payload capabilities (see Subparagraph 2.1.10.1 for descriptions of all equipment classes). Future revisions of this document are expected to address other operational scenarios and sensors better suited to smaller UAS needs.

During the original development of this document, members of the committee expressed concern about equipment without an explicit collision avoidance function providing an appropriate level of safety for the in-scope operations. Concerns were expressed regarding the safety of the system when compared to manned see-and-avoid capability, the usability of the well clear definition developed herein, and the impacts of replacing "collision avoidance" with a "regain well clear" concept. Concerns were also expressed that a formal safety analysis was not available to guide MOPS development, and that a top-level performance requirement was not established to provide a means for requirement traceability to lower-level requirements. To this end, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) commissioned an internal Safety Risk Management Panel during development of RTCA Document (DO)-365 to analyze and identify the conditions under which Equipment Class 1 or Equipment Class 2 is sufficient for the intended operations in the National Airspace System (NAS) (see Subparagraph 2.1.10.1 for a description of equipment classes). The FAA is using this safety analysis to determine required equipage and any necessary operational mitigations. Going forward, the committee expects the FAA to update the safety analysis based on changes to DAA systems or the NAS.

Compliance with these standards is recommended as one means of assuring that the equipment will perform its intended function(s) satisfactorily under the conditions specified herein. Any regulatory application of this document is the sole responsibility of appropriate governmental agencies.