ASTRAEA (Autonomous Systems Technology Related Airborne Evaluation & Assessment) is a UK industry-led consortium whose goal is to enable the routine use of UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) in all classes of airspace. The consortium comprises seven companies: AOS, BAE Systems, Cassidian, Cobham, QinetiQ, Rolls-Royce and Thales.
ASTRAEA recently began trials, onboard a Jetstream 31, of autonomous software and cloud detection technology that together enables the avoidance of bad weather. These trials took place over the Irish Sea, with the aircraft successfully flying autonomously, though with human pilot backup as a precaution.
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