Robot Planes Tested for Friendly Skies

April 18, 2003 | Source: AP

“NASA is developing a collision-avoidance system that would allow fully autonomous, and not just remotely piloted, aircraft to operate in civil airspace.”

The aircraft uses a radar system and can detect the transponders found in larger aircraft. “Eventually, engineers envision a system that combines radar, transponders, cameras and other instruments so drones can operate as safely as any other plane.”