scope:

SCOPE OF THE DOCUMENT

In developing these standards, SC-228 used the following Systems, Operations, and Regulatory scope:

1. Systems

The C2 Link System is defined as the connection used to send information exchanges between a CS and a UA and to manage the connection between them. The scope of this standard is shown in the shaded box in Figure 1-1. The figure shows that the C2 Link System includes only the functionality required to support the Air/Ground and Ground/Ground links from the CS and the UA (Data Transfer, Security, and Routing (DTSR) in the CS and the UA and one or more possible links to the CS and the UA Executive Management capabilities. Appendices B.5.2 and B.5.3 describe the various types of links that may be included in a C2 Link System, and Appendix B.5.1 describes how different types of links may be used operationally. A detailed explanation of DTSR functions is found in Appendix K.6. Consequently, this MASPS does not address the content, prioritization, acknowledgment, frequency, or any other aspect of the User Data that flows over the links.

2. Operations

The scope of the operations considered all types of airspace used in the U.S. and Oceanic Airspace managed by the U.S. Air Traffic Organization (ATO) except Class E above A and transoceanic operations. The strategy used in writing this MASPS was to focus on enabling operations that are in high demand today or expected in the near future. Then those operational descriptions were used (a) to develop operational assumptions regarding capabilities of the UAS stakeholders and then (b) to begin building a more mature and comprehensive set of safety based performance assessments for those operations. More information on the airspaces covered in this MASPS is available in Appendix B. The specific CONOPS that were assessed are explained in detail in Appendix A, and the use cases and scenarios, are explained in Appendix B.

3. Regulatory

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations and procedures were used as a basis for determining the needed C2 Link System standards in this MASPS. The C2 Link System Operational Safety Assessment (OSA) (see Appendix C) in this MASPS is not intended to replace the complete UAS system safety analysis that is required by the FAA Type Certification Regulations (e.g., 14 CFR Part §25.1309 and Part §23.2500) but is intended to provide input into that system safety analysis. The OSA was used to support the development of the Operational Performance Assessment (OPA), and the OPA was used to create the requirements in Section 3 for scenarios addressed in Appendix B.

Design Assurance Levels (DAL) are not specified in this MASPS. This document is intended to establish the acceptable level of risk for C2 Link System functionality in the airspace where the UA is operating. The appropriate level of design assurance will vary greatly based on many factors that may include the level of UAS automation, C2 Link System redundancy, airspace where the UAS is intended to operate, the kinetic energy of the UA, and the population density under the approved area of operations. The trade space created by this many variables makes it impossible to establish fixed design assurance levels. This document is intended to inform the UAS designer and C2CSP how to create and obtain regulatory approval of designs that meet the acceptable level of safety risk for the UAS design and CONOPS.

This document is not applicable to UAS operations performed under the 14 CFR Part 107 regulations.