Light UAS future integration in unrestricted airspace

Over the last decade low-cost light and mini-micro UAV systems equipped with light-weight sensors have started to appear in the market worldwide. Integration aspects regarding the light UAV segment into not-segregated environment are here discussed reporting main outcomes and demonstration activities carried out both in national and European projects during different demonstration trials, especially under the SESAR program (Single European Sky ATM Research). The impact of UAS integration into unrestricted airspace will become soon a critical issue with respect to current ATM environment and regulations when manned and unmanned systems will face to operate in the same airspace. The focus of this paper is to discuss research issues, experience and some technological aspects regarding the future light UAS segment, giving recommendations and guidelines based on real flight tests of UAS integration in air traffic scenarios.