Rohde ATC radios supporting drones

Rohde & Schwarz software defined ATC radios enable Eurodrone MALE RPAS to safely fly through civil air space.

All aircraft in controlled airspace are in radio contact with the air traffic controller of the air traffic control (ATC) sector in which they are currently located. This also includes remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS), like the European medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) RPAS, called Eurodrone.

Rohde & Schwarz R&S AR5000 software defined radios (SDR) of the SOVERON family enable Eurodrone to fly in airspace also used by other aircraft. The technology company is the only provider of SDRs that meet both the civil aviation certification requirements of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and military standards of NATO and other national administration. Only military aircraft certified in respective civil and military standards can be operated without restrictions in the airspace.

Using the onboard VHF/UHF radio, a RPAS pilot in a ground control station communicates directly with air traffic controllers just as a pilot would in a manned aircraft. The aircraft is then safely guided in the take off and landing phases and guided securely through civil air space.

“The R&S AR5000 airborne transceiver meets all relevant requirements and ensures safe operation of an RPAS in international air space,” Stefan Pleyer, Vice President Market Segment Avionics, Rohde & Schwarz, explains.

Eurodrone is the first unmanned aerial system designed for flight in non-segregated airspace. It has the aim to ensure (European) strategic sovereignty by the participating states, France, Germany, Italy and Spain, under the management of the international agency OCCAR and participating industry partners Airbus (as prime contractor), Dassault Aviation and Leonardo.