Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) company Terra Drone Corporation has joined forces with its subsidiaries Unifly NV and Aloft Technologies Inc. to develop a global UTM (Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Traffic Management) system specifically for AAM aircraft.
Terra Drone has been a forerunner in the UTM space, strategically acquiring expertise through investments in Unifly, a Belgian UTM technology leader, and Aloft, the top UTM player in the US.
This collaboration aims to capitalize on the booming electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOL) market, poised to revolutionize transportation. Research by Morgan Stanley suggests the Urban Air Mobility (UAM) market will reach $1 trillion by 2040, growing to $9 trillion by 2050.
The companies are prepping their existing UTM platforms for the surge in eVTOL and drone activity. They’re working on improvements to enable safe and efficient flights for both types of aircraft. Automation is a key focus, with features like advanced flight planning and NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) parsing already available. These functionalities demonstrate their commitment to supporting the AAM industry.
Looking ahead, they plan to further develop their platforms with features specifically tailored for AAMs. Automation will remain central, aiming to streamline operations and integrate seamlessly with increasingly sophisticated AAM technology. Ultimately, they want to set new UTM standards and pave the way for smooth eVTOL and drone integration into national airspace, unlocking the full potential of AAM.
To achieve their vision, Terra Drone, Unifly, and Aloft are extending their reach by collaborating with a diverse group of partners. This includes eVTOL manufacturers, eVTOL operators, vertiport operators, aviation authorities, air navigation service providers (ANSPs), urban planners to seamlessly integrate AAM into city infrastructures, and educational institutions for research and development.
A military history enthusiast, Richard began his career at Forecast International as editor of the World Weapons Weekly newsletter. As the Internet became central to defense research, he helped design the company’s Forecast Intelligence Center and now coordinates the FI Market Recap newsletters for clients. He also manages two blogs: Defense & Security Monitor, which covers defense systems and international security issues, and Flight Plan, focused on commercial aviation and space systems.
For more than 30 years, Richard has authored Defense & Aerospace Companies, Volume I (North America) and Volume II (International), providing detailed data on major aerospace and defense contractors. He also edits the International Contractors service, a database tracking all companies involved in programs covered by the FI library. Richard currently serves as Manager of the Information Services Group (ISG), which develops outbound content for both Forecast International and Military Periscope.
