U-EXPAND

The U‑EXPAND initiative  aims to extend the U-space ecosystem by developing, integrating, and validating advanced solutions that enable safe, efficient, and scalable Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) operations, as well as their integration with crewed aviation.

In the context of rapidly increasing low-altitude traffic, the project addresses key airspace management challenges, focusing on enhancing Communication, Navigation, and Surveillance (CNS) capabilities, developing e‑conspicuity solutions, and enabling crewed/uncrewed integration.

U‑EXPAND validates advanced technologies such as 5G networks, high-precision GNSS systems, and collaborative surveillance solutions to improve situational awareness, interoperability, and airspace capacity management.

The project includes validation in both real and simulated environments, supporting the deployment of advanced U-space services (U3) and contributing to the Digital European Sky.

Objectives:

The main objective of U‑EXPAND is to enhance and validate U-space ecosystem capabilities through the development and application of advanced technologies in operational services.

Additionally, the project aims to:

• Define and validate CNS performance requirements for advanced U-space services.
• Assess 4G/5G networks as key infrastructure for communication, surveillance, and positioning.
• Develop interoperable and affordable e‑conspicuity solutions for General Aviation.
• Enable safe integration of crewed and uncrewed aircraft through strategic and tactical separation services.
• Validate solutions in real and simulated environments, achieving near deployment maturity (TRL7).
• Contribute to U-space regulation, standardisation, and adoption across Europe.