The Navigator Aviation Instrumentation Institute is advancing the first batch of a homegrown collision detection and avoidance system designed for unmanned aerial vehicles. Demonstrations and testing are being prepared for execution in 2025, with a clear aim to validate performance under real-world flight scenarios and mixed airspace conditions.
The Russian solution mirrors internationally adopted designs that conform to the Detect and Avoid (DAA) standard. It is organized into eight functional classes, each tuned to different drone categories. The system emphasizes seamless integration with air traffic surveillance, collision avoidance routines, airborne radar components, and ground-based monitoring networks to ensure robust situational awareness across flight environments.
Based on results from a semi-natural modeling complex and lab-based experiments, testing plans extend into the latter half of 2025. These trials are structured to measure reliability, latency, and interoperability with existing avionics, with an emphasis on safety margins and fail-safe operation in diverse weather and traffic conditions, and to refine how the system responds to potential conflict scenarios.
The ultimate design trajectory envisions compact, miniature versions of collision avoidance technologies that are already deployed on larger, crewed aircraft. The adaptation focuses on preserving core functionality while reducing physical footprint, power needs, and cost, enabling wide-scale adoption across small and mid-sized UAV platforms without compromising safety standards.
Beyond protecting individual drones, the Navigator initiative highlights the potential to synchronize multiple UAVs within a single mission. Coordinated flight operations, optimized spacing, and coordinated airspace usage could become standard practice, increasing efficiency in areas like surveying, delivery, and disaster response while maintaining strict safety protocols and clear separation from manned traffic.
In contemporary discussions about unmanned flight, the emphasis remains on reliable detection, timely decision-making, and resilient communication links. The project reflects a broader industry push toward interoperable systems that work with existing radar, ADS-B, and ground-control infrastructure to create a safer, more predictable airspace for both unmanned and manned aircraft alike.