Arlington, Va. – Crown Consulting Inc., with team lead LMI, has been awarded a contract by NASA to conduct a study of Upper Class E airspace markets and traffic management.

Upper Class E airspace is over 60,000 feet above mean sea level in the National Airspace System (NAS). Operations in Upper Class E airspace have historically been limited due to the challenges faced by conventional fixed-wing aircraft operating in lower atmospheric density.

The study, “Support to NASA Aeronautics ATM-X Upper Class E Traffic Management System Development,” is funded by NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate’s ATM-eXploration (ATM-X) Project under the Airspace Operations and Safety Program. ATM-X has research objectives that include enabling all vehicle and mission access to the NAS. Other partners in the study are Georgia Tech Aerospace Systems Design Laboratory and GRA Inc.

Crown will apply its extensive airspace expertise and background in evolving advanced air mobility (AAM) concepts to align state-of-the-art traffic management concepts, support a gap assessment and develop a roadmap to routine Upper Class E airspace access and operations.

The work builds on Crown’s comprehensive expertise in both legacy and advanced airspace traffic management systems, including low-altitude UAS traffic management, air taxi traffic management, integration of unmanned aircraft into routine NAS operations and high-altitude traffic management.  Crown has also developed the requirements for automation software and systems integration to support safe and efficient operations throughout the NAS.

“This study will provide insights to another critical dimension of AAM as it continues to progress toward a seamless and fully accessible airspace system,” said Crown Vice President for Science and Research Programs Tom Davis.

About Crown Consulting Inc.

Crown Consulting Inc. is shaping the future of air transportation with concept development, design and deployment of systems and aircraft. Crown brings more than three decades working with the Federal Aviation Administration, NASA, states and industry. Its Science & Research, Programs & Engineering and Integration & Infrastructure teams integrate industry-leading air mobility technology and planning support, engineering, information solutions and advanced analytics that enhance system performance and provide robust air mobility solutions for government and industry clients. For more information, visit www.crownci.com.

About LMI

LMI is a consultancy dedicated to powering a future-ready, high-performing government, drawing from expertise in digital and analytic solutions, logistics, and management advisory services. LMI delivers integrated capabilities that incorporate emerging technologies and are tailored to customers’ unique mission needs, backed by objective research and data analysis. Founded in 1961 to help the Department of Defense resolve complex logistics management challenges, LMI continues to enable growth and transformation, enhance operational readiness and resiliency, and ensure mission success for federal civilian and defense agencies. For more information, visit https://www.lmi.org/about-lmi.