Brazil’s DECEA Selects VEGA UTM for Nationwide Drone Traffic Management, Paving the Way for Advanced Airspace Integration in Forestry, Agriculture, and Mining
by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian J. McNabb
Brazil-based Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) developer and High Lander subsidiary BIRDS recently announced that their VEGA UTM product had been selected by the Brazilian air traffic authority as part of a broader project of airspace management and control.
According to their press release, following acceptance into the project by the Brazilian Department of Airspace Control (DECEA), BIRDS will perform the demonstrations to answer the requirements set forward by the authority as it investigates the implementation of unmanned traffic management (UTM) technology throughout the country.
The rapid development of the Brazilian drone industry, especially in the nation’s thriving forestry, agriculture, and mining industries, has necessitated rapid modernization of the country’s airspace management systems. In September 2022, DECEA published an ordinance (439/DNOR8) authorizing the Brazilian Air Force’s national UTM concept of operations (DFA 351-6).
Kicking off in September 2023, BR-UTM is led by DECEA and the Institute of Airspace Control (ICEA) and aims to develop UAV infrastructure via public-private partnerships. According to the press release, requirements include UTM zone creation and restriction sharing, real-time airspace monitoring, integration between air traffic management (ATM) and UTM systems, and a regulatory infrastructure. BR-UTM will run implementation tests to find practical solutions as to how these capabilities can be integrated into Brazilian airspaces.
“BIRDS is proud to receive authorization from DECEA to participate in this groundbreaking project, and to demonstrate the power of Vega UTM in enabling entire UAS ecosystems to flourish safely,” said Léo Szterenzys, CEO of BIRDS. “BIRDS provides the very best in UAS management software, and we’re confident that Vega UTM will fulfill all regulatory, operational and technological requirements.”
Alon Abelson, CEO and co-founder of High Lander, commented: “Brazil is home to one of world’s fastest-growing drone ecosystems, and we’re proud to see BIRDS present Vega UTM as a contender for the country’s national airspace management solution. Vega provides a complete suite of UTM services in compliance with international regulations and standards, and has proven experience of nationwide management of UAS traffic, so we’re confident in the success of this project.”
More information on BIRDS is available here. More information on High Lander is available here.
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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