Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) technology provider Altitude Angel has announced that it has been awarded a United States patent for its detect and avoid (DAA) technology, ARROW, the foundational innovation behind the UK’s first drone superhighway.

The ARROW system enables drones to safely operate Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) without the need for onboard sensors or, critically, visual observers.

Instead, what ARROW does is leverage a network of strategically positioned ground-based sensors — including radio frequency detectors and high-resolution cameras. 

The data collected is then ‘fused’ through Altitude Angel’s air traffic management software to provide a high-resolution, real-time, airspace picture at significantly lower cost and with comparable characteristics to RADAR.

This ground-breaking technology allows drones to seamlessly integrate into shared airspace with traditional aircraft, unlocking transformative applications in emergency response, medical logistics, infrastructure inspection, and more.

Further, the technology is designed to provide automated air traffic control to commercial drones who want to use the service, independent of other airspace users: this means there is no burden on traditional airspace users, GA pilots, paragliders and the like, to change their operations or carry new equipment.

“Receiving this U.S. patent is a major milestone for Altitude Angel and a testament to the ingenuity of our team,” said Richard Parker, Altitude Angel’s CEO.

“ARROW is not just a technology – it’s a seismic shift in how we think about airspace access and drone operations. With this patent, we’re one step closer to making scalable, automated drone flight a global reality, by enabling our partners to licence and deploy their own scalable infrastructure.”

The company added that the US patent strengthens its global IP portfolio, which includes two UK patents awarded in 2020 – for ARROW; and Conflict Resolution Service – Tactical, and positions Altitude Angel to expand the use of ARROW internationally by enabling trusted, regional, partners to build their own infrastructure on which local drone economies can be developed.

ARROW technology was applied to Project Skyway, part of Innovate UK’s Future Flight Challenge, which concluded in January this year and was led by Altitude Angel in collaboration with BT and other key partners.

“The project demonstrated how ARROW can deliver “Separation-as-a-Service,” enabling safe, inclusive, and efficient, multiple drone operations (and operators) without segregating airspace or requiring costly onboard equipment,” Altitude Angel said in a statement. яндекс

The patents come at a time when drones completed a successful shared airspace pilot in Texas.