Digital Twin Approach for Integrated Airspace Management With Applications to Advanced Air Mobility

Abstract

In the very near future, Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) services including air taxis and air ambulances are moving closer to reality. The low-altitude airspace, especially in urban areas, is expected to be filled with thousands of uncrewed aircraft systems (UASs). Such an increase in volume of UASs in the national airspace is going to create a huge challenge for air traffic management. This article outlines how the stakeholder communities - academics, federal aviation administration, aviation industry, and regional communities - are preparing for this exciting development. The central theme presented here is an integrated air space management, or a digital twin model for the airspace management. The digital twin system is presented as a combination of subsystems that include integrated airspace management, autonomous air space operations, digital flight rules, urban air corridors, and UAS to UAS communications. The subsystems discussed in this article along with the digital infrastructure form the foundation for enhanced autonomy and safety of AAM.