A device receives a request for a mission that includes traversal of a flight path from a first location to a second location and performance of mission operations, and calculates the flight path from the first location to the second location based on the request. The device determines required capabilities for the mission based on the request, and identifies UAVs based on the required capabilities for the mission. The device generates flight path instructions for the flight path and mission instructions for the mission operations, and provides the flight path/mission instructions to the identified UAVs to permit the identified UAVs to travel from the first location to the second location, via the flight path, and to perform the mission operations at the second location.

A device receives a request for a mission that includes traversal of a flight path from one or more first locations to a second location and performance of mission operations, and determines required capabilities and constraints for the mission based on the request. The device identifies UAVs based on the required capabilities and the constraints, and calculates a cost effective mission plan, for the identified UAVs, based on the required capabilities and the constraints. The device generates mission plan instructions, for the cost effective mission plan, that include flight path instructions for the flight path and mission instructions for the mission operations. The device provides the mission plan instructions to the identified UAVs to permit the identified UAVs to travel from the one or more first locations to the second location, via the flight path, and to perform the mission operations.

A method for providing an aircraft display includes the steps of receiving an indication of a current position and altitude of the aircraft, receiving air traffic information for another aircraft within a predetermined range of the current position of the aircraft, and determining whether an element of the traffic information for the another aircraft is missing from the received air traffic information. If an element is missing, the method further includes beginning a timer to determine a length of time that the element is missing. Still further, the method includes the step of, after a predetermined time has elapsed that the element is missing according to the timer, displaying an indication of the another aircraft along with the length of time that the element is missing.

Provided is an unmanned aerial vehicle that broadcasts a route and future location information of the unmanned aerial vehicle within preset coverage based on sensing data and current location information of the unmanned aerial vehicle. The unmanned aerial vehicle includes a calculator configured to calculate a predicted route and second location information of the unmanned aerial vehicle corresponding to a preset period of time based on first location information and sensing data; and a transmitter configured to periodically broadcast a first notification signal that includes the first location information, the predicted route, and the second location information.

This disclosure is directed to an automated unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) self-identification system, devices, and techniques pertaining to the automated identification of individual UAVs operating within an airspace via a mesh communication network, individual UAVs and a central authority representing nodes of the mesh network. The system may detect nearby UAVs present within a UAV's airspace. Nearby UAVs may self-identify or be identified via correlation with one or more features detected by the UAV. The UAV may validate identifying information using a dynamic validation policy. Data collected by the UAV may be stored in a local mesh database and distributed to individual nodes of the mesh network and merged into a common central mesh database for distribution to individual nodes of the mesh network. UAVs on the mesh network utilize local and central mesh database information for self-identification and to maintain a dynamic flight plan.

Systems and methods that display information to enable a flight crew on a trailing aircraft to maintain separation behind a leading aircraft during an approach. Graphical designs are displayed on a navigation display or other display in the flight deck of the trailing aircraft to help the flight crew visually acquire the leading aircraft out the window and maintain at least a specified separation distance or spacing between the two aircraft even if visual contact is lost after the initial visual contact. A visual indication is provided on the display if that separation distance/spacing is attained. If for some reason the flight crew misses that visual indication and the trailing aircraft continues to get closer to the leading aircraft, another visual indication is provided, followed by an aural alert when a minimum safe spacing is reached.

An electric taxi motive control system of a first aircraft comprises a first aircraft position determining system configured to generate a first aircraft position signal, a first aircraft receiver, configured to receive transmissions of a second aircraft position signal, a first aircraft pilot interface configured to accept an input indicative of a first aircraft desired speed, and a first aircraft electronic controller configured to; determine a aircraft separation distance indicative of the distance between the first aircraft and the second aircraft, compare the aircraft separation distance with a safe distance value; and generate a modified first aircraft commanded speed signal when the aircraft separation distance is less than the safe distance value.

Disclosed is a configuration to control automatic return of an aerial vehicle. The configuration stores a return location in a storage device of the aerial vehicle. The return location may correspond to a location where the aerial vehicle is to return. One or more sensors of the aerial vehicle are monitored during flight for detection of a predefined condition. When a predetermined condition is met a return path program may be loaded for execution to provide a return flight path for the aerial vehicle to automatically navigate to the return location.

This disclosure is directed to systems and methods for generating outputs based on collected aircraft maneuver data. In one example, a system is configured to collect surveillance data from one or more aircraft. The system is further configured to identify, from the collected surveillance data, aircraft maneuver data indicative of maneuvers of the one or more aircraft. The system is further configured to store the aircraft maneuver data in a data store. The system is further configured to perform one or more analyses of the stored aircraft maneuver data in the data store. The system is further configured to generate an output based on the one or more analyses of the stored aircraft maneuver data.

A collision warning method includes receiving a collision risk indication from a traffic collision avoidance system of an aircraft, receiving a preset altitude, comparing the preset altitude and an altitude associated with the collision risk indication, and providing a warning in the aircraft when the preset altitude and the altitude associated with the collision risk are within a threshold.