Enabling technologies are software, artificial intelligence (AI) or other capabilities that support existing technologies and capabilities. Challenges posed by enabling technologies and capabilities include:
- cybersecurity risks for:
- remotely piloted operations
- highly automated operations
- navigation services.
- safety assurance, including software assurance as part of aircraft certification and air navigation service design
- digitalisation of operational and aircraft certification approvals
- AI and machine learning elements for autonomy
- radio frequency (RF) spectrum management issues.
Enabling technologies and capabilities can vary in how they evolve and advance. Some of these capabilities evolve and develop over time, for example, safety assurance measures.
Others may remain relatively stable but involve large implementation activities – for example, digitalisation of regulatory services.
Some are new to the safety regulatory environment – for example, cybersecurity risks, AI and machine learning.
Activity status in the immediate to near term
We will look at the potential of blockchain and other distributed ledger technologies for aviation applications. We will also investigate how these technologies can align with and improve record-keeping practices in line with regulatory requirements.
Those new to the RPAS design and manufacturing industry might not have a deep understanding of conventional aviation design and certification techniques. This is especially true for formalised system safety assessment (SSA) approaches.
Activity status in the medium term
We will continue to assess the cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and machine learning safety and regulatory impacts as enabling capabilities evolve and mature.
Activity status in the long term
Longer term activities will include ongoing regulatory responses to evolving enabling capabilities.