The OperA consortium aims to enable the safe accommodation of advanced air mobility (AAM) in European Air Traffic Management (ATM) and U-space. It plans to develop and validate several AAM solutions addressing the ecosystem of manned air-taxi and unmanned cargo cross-border operations. Honeywell’s contribution will focus on the development of autonomy-enabling technologies, including an energy-efficient approach with a ground control station, high-integrity precision navigation, and detect-and-avoid technology for AAM aircraft. These technologies will play an integral part in the ecosystem of crewed air taxi and uncrewed cargo cross-border operations.
“Honeywell is excited to work on programs that will bring higher levels of automation in aviation, drive sustainability and open up opportunities for innovation in European aerospace,” said David Shilliday, vice president and general manager, Urban Air Mobility and Unmanned Aerial Systems, Honeywell Aerospace. “Alongside our European partners, we look forward to developing and accelerating the adoption of the most cutting-edge technological solutions to manage conventional aircraft, drones, air taxis and vehicles flying at higher altitude,”
Co-funded by the SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking within the framework of the Horizon Europe and the Digital European Sky, the OperA (Operate Anywhere) project involves a three-year collaboration between 15 value chain partners (including 4 affiliates) from 11 European countries covering the whole ecosystem for IAM aircraft, says the SESAR website. Led by Honeywell (CZ), consortium partners include Aena (ES), Enaire (ES), CRIDA (ES), Eurocontrol (BE), Frequentis (AT), Frequentis Solutions & Services (SK), Frequentis Romania (RO), skyzr (AT), Latvijas gais satiksme (LV), Lilium (DE), Pipistrel Vertical Solutions (SI), Skyports Infrastructure Limited (UK), AKCINĖ BENDROVĖ ORO NAVIGACIJA (LT), Vertical Aerospace (UK), and Nordic Unmanned (NO).
Honeywell’s contribution will be run out of Honeywell Technology Solutions research and development center in Brno, Czech Republic.
Philip Butterworth-Hayes reporting from Paris Air Show 23.
Photo credit: Shutterstock
