Terra Drone Corporation, a Japan-based leader in drone and Urban Air Mobility (UAM) technology, reported that its group company, Unifly, had successfully completed a port surveillance demonstration under the ‘Certiflight’ project. As a global leader in Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Traffic Management (UTM) solutions, Unifly conducted this demonstration at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges (PoAB), one of Europe’s largest ports. The company integrated blockchain technology into its UTM system to enhance the management of drone operations in congested airspace.
Certiflight’s Role in Secure Flight Data Management
Certiflight is recognized as the first Galileo-based U-Space initiative to implement Open Service Navigation Message Authentication (OSNMA) technology. Its primary objective is to securely record low-altitude flight data, including drone and General Aviation flights, on a blockchain. Unifly has actively participated in the project since November 2022, contributing to technological advancements that enhance the safety and accountability of airspace operations.
The initiative seeks to verify the authenticity of flight data by ensuring that encrypted flight information remains immutable, preventing any unauthorized modifications. To achieve this, drones and General Aviation aircraft are equipped with Digital EGNSS/IoT devices. This approach strengthens the integrity of flight data, increasing the security of drone operations in dense airspace. Additionally, the project is expected to facilitate the widespread adoption of Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone operations. Traditionally, drone pilots have been required to apply for flight approvals for each operation. However, with blockchain-backed authentication, flight data can be transmitted seamlessly to operators and certification portals, enabling air traffic controllers to efficiently validate flight authorizations. This advancement is anticipated to streamline the approval process and accelerate drone adoption across industries.
Certiflight’s Implementation Timeline
The Certiflight project, initiated in November 2022, entered its demonstration phase in November 2024. By January 2025, it aims to validate various drone operation scenarios and assess system performance in collaboration with multiple U-space service providers to accommodate diverse operational needs.
Port Surveillance Demonstration Overview
As part of Certiflight, a port surveillance demonstration commenced in November 2024, with ongoing trials in Belgium, Italy, and the Czech Republic. Unifly, selected as a U-space service provider, collaborated with the drone operator Sky Vision to conduct the demonstration at PoAB. By integrating its UTM system with drones equipped with Digital EGNSS/IoT devices, Unifly enabled real-time monitoring of drone operations within the port area while enhancing the flight approval process.
Key Achievements of the Demonstration
Through this initiative, Unifly successfully demonstrated the effectiveness of its UTM platform in multiple areas:
Real-Time Flight Path Visualization
Enabled real-time visualization of drone flight paths using its Tracking API.
Differentiated authenticated tracking data from unauthorized sources.
Accurate Positioning and Data Security
Ensured precise positioning data while preventing data manipulation through OSNMA technology.
Demonstrated the reliability of blockchain integration and Digital EGNSS/IoT devices in securing drone positioning for high-risk operations in complex airspace.
Future Prospects
The successful completion of the Certiflight demonstration reaffirmed the role of Unifly’s UTM platform in drone traffic management. Terra Drone underscored the potential of advanced UTM technology in facilitating U-space airspace integration, allowing next-generation aircraft to operate seamlessly in shared environments. Moving forward, the company aims to expand the application of its technology across multiple sectors, including port operations and urban air mobility.
