Unmanned Traffic Management: Coordinating the Skies for Autonomous Flight
Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) refers to the systems, rules, and digital services designed to safely organize and monitor the movement of unmanned aerial vehicles in shared airspace. As drones become more common across civilian, commercial, and public applications, the need for structured coordination has grown steadily. UTM is not a single technology or platform; it is an evolving framework that brings together airspace information, communication protocols, and decision-making tools to ensure safe operations.
At its core, UTM addresses a challenge that did not exist at scale a decade ago. Traditional air traffic control systems were designed for crewed aircraft operating at higher altitudes, following well-defined routes, and managed by centralized authorities. Drones, by contrast, often fly at lower altitudes, may operate autonomously, and can be deployed in large numbers simultaneously. This difference requires a new approach that balances flexibility with safety.
One of the fundamental components of UTM is airspace…