U-space platform MAIA: CSG subsidiary UpVision aims to coordinate drone traffic safely

Czech defence group Czechoslovak Group (CSG) is expanding its capabilities in aerospace, defence electronics and modern airspace management. The digital U-space platform MAIA was developed by UpVision, which belongs to CSG's Aerospace & Defence Electronics division. The aim is to coordinate growing drone traffic in U-space safely and to integrate further participants into the airspace.

The platform connects air navigation service providers, drone operators, Common Information Services Providers, authorities and security forces, as well as other organisations responsible for safe airspace operations. In future, MAIA is also to use artificial intelligence to help predict potential risks and further automate uncrewed flight operations.

The background is the European U-space concept, which is intended to allow drones to fly safely alongside crewed aircraft. To this end, EU Regulation 2021/664 requires key operational information to be provided and exchanged via common information services. The platform is designed to meet these requirements and help operators coordinate drone flights safely.

U-space platform: experience and place in the CSG portfolio

MAIA was developed by a multidisciplinary team bringing together experts in software development, air traffic control, U-space technologies, digital infrastructure and security systems. The platform builds on experience from European research projects such as Certiflight, U-Space4UAM and ATM-EXCITE.

MAIA is another building block in the CSG group's technology portfolio. Radar systems that detect and track air targets come from companies such as Retia and Eldis; solutions for air traffic control and data processing are supplied by CS Soft and Atrak. With MAIA, UpVision contributes the digital connectivity layer for future airspace management.