Project Rise

Project Rise is a UK civil aviation program, not a defense/intelligence program, focused on integrating Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) systems with drone control systems to enable Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations in non-segregated airspace. Led by Dronecloud in consortium with Frequentist, Sky-Drones, Cranfield University, and Skyports, the program developed a scalable flight management system and centralized command-control platform to automate flight approvals, air traffic control integration, and deconfliction services. The project successfully completed field trials at Cranfield Airport in November 2021, demonstrating integration of electronic ID, flight telemetry, airspace authorizations, and accident reporting capabilities. From a civil aviation perspective, the program is strategically significant for enabling safe autonomous drone operations at scale in urban environments, supporting future last-mile delivery and drone taxi services.