The European Union (EU) is funding new research into artificial intelligence (AI) technology and standards for the safe use of uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS). As part of its Horizon Europe research and innovation program, the EU this week launched a tender process covering these and three other aviation safety projects that the EASA will manage.
The AI-related work is covered by the EU’s new Machine Learning Application Approval project, which is intended to streamline the certification and approval processes for this technology in aviation applications. It will seek to identify “concrete means of compliance” to support EASA’s guidance on machine learning applications, covered by levels 1, 2, and 3 in the European aviation safety regulator’s AI Roadmap.
According to EASA, the work should “alleviate some remaining limitations on the acceptance of machine learning applications in safety-critical applications.” The €1.5 million ($1.6 million) research contract is due to run through May 2024, with Airbus’s Apsys business unit appointed as project leader.
EASA intends for the €314,000 UAS standards project, which has been given the name Shepherd, to support possible changes to its Rolling Development Plan for UAS (U-RDP). This is intended as part of a continuous improvement process for the European UAS regulations introduced on Dec. 31, 2020, and also for the new U-Space regulation that is due to go into force on Jan. 26, 2023.
The Shepherd project is also due to run through May 2024. Human factors and aviation safety group Deep Blue has been assigned as the project leader.
