China Conducts Drone-aircraft Collision Tests

China's CAAC recently conducted aircraft-drone collision tests between the forward section—principally the windshield and radome—of an airliner and a tethered light DJI drone. The tests were carried out jointly with Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Northwestern Polytechnical University and Shanghai Aircraft Design and Research Institute.

Initial results showed that impacts at various angles to the windshield resulted in fracture of the outer laminate layer, but no penetration into the cockpit, similar to results encountered in bird-strike tests. Results of the tests will be used to promulgate rules and technical standards governing UAV operations and certification.

The CAAC noted the proliferation of drone collisions and near misses with aircraft in Europe, the U.S. and China, as well as the inherent risk UAVs pose to people and property on the ground. Drone conflict incidents in China between 2013 and 2017 involved forced deviation and delay of civil aircraft on multiple occasions, near-collisions with aircraft, ground holds and even shutdowns at commercial airports, in addition to Chinese air force shoot-downs of errant drones. Some of the airport shutdowns were significant, resulting in dozens of flight cancellations.