Tokyo, February 14, 2025 –Terra Drone Corporation, a leading drone and Urban Air Mobility (UAM) technology company headquartered in Japan, is proud to announce that its group company and a global leader in UAS Traffic Management (UTM) solutions, Unifly, has successfully completed port surveillance demonstration as part of the ‘Certiflight’ project using its UTM systems. This demonstration took place at Port of Antwerp-Bruges(PoAB), one of the largest ports in Europe, where Unifly provided its UTM system with Ｂlockchain technology to support the management of drone operations in complex and high-traffic airspace.
Certiflight’s Overview
Certiflight is the first Galileo-based(1) U-Space(2) to utilize Open Service Navigation Message Authentication (OSNMA) technology, aiming to record low-altitude flight data, such as drones and General Aviation(3) flights, on a blockchain. Unifly has been participating in Certiflight since November 2022, playing a crucial role in drone traffic management by providing its UTM system to drive technological advancements that enhance the safety and accountability of airspace operations.
Certiflight aims to ensure the authenticity of flight data by enabling encrypted flight data to be recorded on a blockchain, preventing tampering or falsification of location data. This is achieved by equipping drones and General Aviation with Digital EGNSS/IoT devices. By advancing Certiflight, the accountability and integrity of flight data are strengthened, thereby improving the safety and security of drones in complex and high-traffic airspace. In the long term, this is expected to facilitate the widespread adoption of BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) drone operations. Drone pilots conventionally have been required to apply for and obtain flight approval in compliance with local regulations for each flight. However, flight data with guaranteed authenticity can be transmitted to operators and certification portals, allowing air traffic controllers in each region to easily verify and approve flight authorizations. This system is expected to streamline the drone flight approval process and further accelerate the adoption and use of drones across various industries.
<Certiflight’s Schedule>
- Launched in November 2022
- Transitioned to the demonstration phase in November 2024
- Aiming to validate scenarios based on key drone use cases and evaluate system performance in collaboration with multiple U-space service providers to accommodate diverse operational needs by January 2025.
Port Surveillance Demonstration’s Overview
Port surveillance demonstration is part of the Certiflight. Certiflight transitioned into the demonstration phase in November 2024 and is currently being conducted in three countries: Belgium, Italy, and the Czech Republic. As a U-space service provider, Unifly was selected to participate in the demonstration at PoAB in collaboration with a drone operator, Sky Vision. In this demonstration, Unifly integrated its UTM system with drones equipped with Digital EGNSS/IoT devices, enabling real-time monitoring of drone operations within the port area and streamlining the flight approval process.
<Demonstration Achievements>
Through this demonstration, Unifly successfully leveraged its UTM platform to achieve the following:
1. Visualization of Drone Flight Paths
- Visualized drone flight paths in real time through the Tracking API.
- Successfully distinguishing authenticated tracking data from unauthenticated data.
2. Accurate Positioning and Prevention of Data Tampering
- Acquired accurate positioning data and prevented the contamination of fraudulent information by utilizing the OSNMA function.
- Demonstrated the accountability of blockchain technology and Digital EGNSS/IoT devices, ensuring secure and accurate drone positioning for high-risk operations in complex airspace.
Andres Van Swalm, CEO of Unifly stated: “The Certiflight demonstration at the PoAB is a pivotal moment for the project. It exemplifies how blockchain-backed UTM solutions can enhance safety, transparency, and accountability in complex environments. We’re proud to contribute to the future of autonomous aviation.”
Expectations
Through Unifly, Terra Drone has successfully completed the port surveillance demonstration of Certiflight, highlighting the role and significance of its UTM platform in drone traffic management. Terra Drone unlocked the potential of advanced UTM technology in U-space airspace, enabling the integration of next-generation aircraft into complex shared airspace. Moving forward, Terra Drone aims to expand the applications of its technology across various sectors, including port operations and urban air mobility.
Editor’s Note
1 European Global Navigation Satellite System.
2 The concept of operational management, including the regulatory framework for drone integration in Europe.
3 A general term for all aviation activities in civil aviation, excluding scheduled air transport services (airlines).
About Unifly NV
Unifly is a leading aviation tech company dedicated to enhancing the safety and efficiency of autonomous aviation with cutting-edge technology. The Unifly platform acts as a crucial bridge within the UAS ecosystem, enabling the safe and secure integration of next-generation aircraft into the airspace. By digitizing and automating traffic management and integrating seamlessly with drones and Urban Air Mobility (UAM), Unifly addresses the exponential growth in air traffic expected in the coming decades. The company has a proven track record of implementing more than ten commercial UTM deployments, establishing it as a world leader in this industry.
For more information, please visit the website at Unifly.aero or contact us at press@unifly.aero.
About Terra Drone Corporation
Terra Drone Corporation, headquartered in Japan, is a global leader in drone and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) solutions. Dedicated to the mission of “Unlock ‘X’ Dimensions”, the company is committed to creating a prosperous future by “crossing” bridges—integrating diverse fields to foster innovation and find solutions. Specializing in surveying, inspections, agriculture, and UAS Traffic Management (UTM), Terra Drone serves industries such as oil and gas, construction, chemicals, energy, and agriculture.
With a portfolio of over 3,000 completed projects worldwide, Terra Drone has achieved significant milestones in the drone operations field. In July 2023, the company acquired a majority stake in Unifly, a world-leading provider of UTM platform, with deployments in over eight countries, followed by an investment in U.S.-based Aloft Technologies in February 2024, further expanding its capabilities in UTM.
Recognized by Drone Industry Insights as one of the top three industrial drone service providers globally for five consecutive years, Terra Drone aims to build the digital infrastructure necessary to unlock the full potential of drones and AAM solutions. For more information, please visit our website: http://www.terra-drone.net
Media Contact
PR Team, Terra Drone Corporation
Tel: +81-3-6419-7193
Email: pr@terra-drone.co.jp
