Recent technological developments have enabled new forms of aviation to emerge. These include battery-powered electric aircraft, many remotely piloted, ranging from very small (a few kilograms) to large enough to carry passengers. These aircraft are typically much cheaper to purchase and operate than conventional aircraft and have a wide range of applications. Current battery technology, however, imposes some limitations on range.

These flying vehicles must be safely integrated with traditional aviation. U-space, the European Commission’s initiative, aims to enable this integration. While the current U-space Concept of Operations (ConOps v4) has laid the groundwork and supported the EU U-space regulation, operations remain limited to Very Low-Level (VLL) airspace and rely on segregation from traditional aviation. Unlocking the full potential of the drone economy requires integrating all aircraft within shared airspace.

The proposed solution focuses on producing a new Concept of Operations (ConOps v5) that will:

• Expand coverage to broader areas of airspace currently reserved for traditional aviation.
• Incorporate the latest research and regulatory advances.
• Support the gradual integration of U-space and ATM systems.

This updated ConOps will provide a comprehensive description of U-space U3 services, propose an initial set of U4 services to enable the integration of manned and unmanned aircraft in the same airspace, synthesise ongoing research findings, address identified gaps, and set the stage for a revised U-space regulation while fostering further research.

Current EU regulations for U-space, introduced in 2021, aim to safely integrate drones and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) into shared airspace:

• Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/664 establishes the operational framework for U-space and an initial set of essential services.
• Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/665 adapts existing air traffic management rules to account for U-space operations.
• Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/666 defines certification and operational standards for U-space service providers to ensure interoperability and reliability.

While significant, these regulations have limitations that hinder the full potential of U-space. They primarily cover Very Low-Level (VLL) airspace, below 120 metres, leaving higher altitudes, where traditional aviation operates, largely unaffected. This limits the integration of UAS and electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicles with manned aviation, delaying the goal of a unified airspace system. Additionally, the regulatory framework is still in its early stages, and many EU member states have yet to fully implement U-space services or infrastructure, resulting in an inconsistent rollout across the EU.

The solution will support the development of additional regulations necessary to enable full integration.

BENEFITS

The integration of U-space with the ATM system will significantly enhance capacity, safety, security, and cost efficiency. This integration will enable the development of innovative air mobility solutions, improving passenger experiences and contributing to broader social acceptance. Furthermore, expanding uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) operations is expected to positively impact the environment by replacing larger, manned vehicles—such as helicopters and delivery vans—with more sustainable alternatives. This shift will reduce emissions and traffic congestion, further promoting sustainability.