KARI - Korea Aerospace Research institute

The use of unmanned vehicles in private and public sectors is increasing as the technology has advanced. New systems and technologies to improve air traffic efficiency and safety are required as the demand for flight is rapidly increasing.

KARI is developing core technologies for security and unmanned vehicles for low-altitude traffic management systems. The main goal is to demonstrate the traffic management system in low-altitude airspace by developing precision navigation technology for the efficient and safe use of multiple UAVs.

Moreover, KARI is developing mounting on-board devices for direct information exchange between unmanned vehicles. It is also developing technologies to prevent hacking of UAV traffic management systems, detect unauthorized unmanned vehicles, and suppress illegal activities through traffic management system security technology.

To Organize a low-altitude traffic management system, many systems are required; a registration system for an unmanned vehicle operator and businessman, a cloud-based central computer system to track and monitor unmanned vehicles, a user access system that enables vehicle- operating individuals or enterprises to submit a flight plan and have it approved anytime, anywhere, and a wireless communication network for drone traffic management by connecting the drones and the traffic management system.

The development of a low-altitude traffic management system for the safe operation of unmanned vehicles and the demonstration research began in April 2017, and the second-phase project is currently underway. In 2020, the precision navigation flight of nine small drones equipped with LTE communication modules with security functions was demonstrated as an intermediate outcome in Phase 2. KARI plans to introduce a cloud-based system for flying multiple drones in the BVLOS area, managing airspace, and managing traffic by the end of 2022 when Phase 2 is completed.