UAV Systems Operations and Validation Program (USOVP)

The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems Operations & Validation Program (USOVP) was established by Congress to support the essential short- and long-range test and evaluation of routine UAS usage (alongside manned aircraft) in the National Airspace System (NAS) and for operations in international airspace. The USOVP supports any category of DoD UAS [High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE), Medium Altitude Endurance (MAE), and Low Altitude Endurance (LAE)], as appropriate, in all airspace classes.

This program has established significant experience in coordinating UAS flights. Additionally, TAAC has conducted surrogate UAS and actual UAS flight operations from the Las Cruces International Airport and other locations. A recent demonstration included a General Dynamics UAS flown in the proximity of the south-west international border.

A significant goal of the USOVP is to be able to validate UAS technologies in the NAS. An important enabling technology is sense-and-avoid systems that will be flown on surrogate UAS and on UAS before the end of CY05. A sense-and-avoid solution supports the OSD initiative of being able to "file and fly" a UAS in the NAS.