Civil aviation authorities in the UK have ordered the launch of a new aircraft manufactured by US defence company General Atomics. MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) gave permission to fly in civil airspace. This decision paved the way for UAVs developed for military purposes to operate in an integrated and safe manner with civil air traffic. a historic step is evaluated as.
Based on NATO Standard: STANAG 4671
The certification in question, NATO's STANAG (Standardization Agreement) standard number 4671 This standard specifies the technical and operational criteria required for UAVs to seamlessly integrate with civil air traffic and conduct safe operations. This demonstrates that international norms are being followed in the adaptation of military platforms to civilian areas.
ICAO's Attitude and the Success of the MQ-9 Reaper
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) does not directly prohibit military aircraft from operating in civil airspace. However, ICAO clearly states that such flights must be carried out without endangering civil air traffic, by ensuring the necessary technical compliance and by obtaining permission from the relevant authorities. The certification that the MQ-9 Reaper received in the UK by meeting all these conditions is on the way to widespread and safe use of UAVs not only for military but also for civilian purposes. a major turning point This development reveals that other UAVs with similar capabilities should also be included in international certification processes.
Importance for Türkiye: Global Competition and Reliability
For countries like Türkiye that have made significant progress in unmanned aerial systems (UAS),, To comply with the NATO STANAG 4671 standard, both to increase the reliability of the systems in the international arena and to strengthen global competitiveness. is of critical importanceConsidering Türkiye's success in domestic UAV and SIHA production, compliance with such international standards will further solidify the place of Turkish defense industry products in the world market.
This development is also a sign that UAVs can be used more effectively in civilian areas such as logistics, surveillance, disaster management and search and rescue in the future. Considering the potential of UAV technology, its integration into civil airspace could open many new doors.
