Unifly Paves Way For Safer Skies: Completes Esas Cyber-Resilient Utm Initiative

Unifly Completes ESA NAVISP SecureUTM 2 Phase I for Cyber-Resilient U-space Operations

In a significant milestone, Unifly, in collaboration with Nexova, has successfully completed the European Space Agency’s (ESA) NAVISP programme phase one for the development of SecureUTM 2. This project marks an important step towards establishing a comprehensive cybersecurity framework for Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) and U-space services across Europe.

As drone operations continue to expand in complexity and cross-border interoperability, ensuring the security and resilience of UTM systems has become increasingly crucial for operational continuity and public trust. SecureUTM 2 not only aligns with European regulations but also incorporates cybersecurity engineering as a core design principle, setting a new standard for the industry.

The project’s objectives were to create a certification-aligned, risk-driven cybersecurity foundation for secure, resilient, and scalable UTM systems. To achieve this, Unifly worked closely with Nexova to develop a refined Protection Profile (PP) for UTM, which served as the basis for the updated Security Target (ST) for the Unifly platform.

SecureUTM 2 Phase I expanded on the existing cybersecurity baseline established in SecureUTM 1 by introducing key new components, including structured risk assessment and certification-aligned gap analysis to identify areas for improvement. A control-by-control gap assessment translated cybersecurity requirements into a prioritised implementation roadmap, while the Risk-Based Engineering Roadmap focused on high-priority areas such as device-level authentication and auditing.

These enhancements provide a robust cybersecurity framework for UTM systems, addressing real-world complexities and ensuring operational deployment and future EU certification readiness.

Another critical aspect of SecureUTM 2 Phase I is the focus on mitigating GNSS and PNT threats, which are increasingly common in drone operations. The project validated practical, layered mitigations through a dedicated U-space proof-of-concept testbed with Hardware-in-the-Loop UAV simulations.

The testbed featured a range of validated measures, including on-board GNSS jamming detection, fleet-level interference inference, trajectory plausibility and conformance monitoring, OSNMA-based message verification, and structured anomaly logging and alerting. These measures provide a robust defense against GNSS and PNT threats, ensuring the security and integrity of UTM systems.

The successful completion of SecureUTM 2 Phase I directly supports Belgium’s U-space deployment strategy and strengthens its position in secure drone integration. The project also marks an important step towards the implementation of prioritised controls, expansion of validation capabilities, and further alignment with EU certification frameworks in phase II.

At Unifly, the company is dedicated to enabling autonomous aviation by advancing the safety and efficiency of UAS Traffic Management. The Unifly platform connects authorities, drone operators, and stakeholders to digitise and automate airspace management, supporting the safe integration of next-generation aircraft. Through Unifly Consulting, the company provides comprehensive end-to-end solutions that power the future of autonomous aviation worldwide.

With SecureUTM 2 Phase I complete, Unifly is poised to make a significant impact on the future of UTM and U-space operations in Europe. The project’s focus on cybersecurity engineering, risk-driven approach, and emphasis on mitigating GNSS and PNT threats sets a new standard for the industry.

The European Space Agency’s (ESA) NAVISP programme is designed to promote the development and deployment of secure Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) systems across Europe. The programme aims to create a harmonised UTM framework that aligns with European regulations, ensuring interoperability and operational continuity between UTM systems.

Unifly is a technology company rooted in aviation, dedicated to enabling autonomous aviation by advancing the safety and efficiency of UAS Traffic Management. The Unifly platform connects authorities, drone operators, and stakeholders to digitise and automate airspace management, supporting the safe integration of next-generation aircraft.

The use of cybersecurity engineering as a core design principle is becoming increasingly important for UTM systems. By integrating cybersecurity into the core architecture of UTM systems, SecureUTM 2 provides a robust foundation for secure, resilient, and scalable operations.

As drone operations continue to expand in complexity and cross-border interoperability, ensuring the security and resilience of UTM systems has become increasingly crucial for operational continuity and public trust. SecureUTM 2’s focus on cybersecurity engineering, risk-driven approach, and emphasis on mitigating GNSS and PNT threats sets a new standard for the industry.

With phase II complete, Unifly is poised to make a significant impact on the future of UTM and U-space operations in Europe. The company will continue to work closely with Nexova and other partners to expand the capabilities of SecureUTM 2 and ensure its alignment with EU certification frameworks.

As the industry moves forward, it will be exciting to see how SecureUTM 2 continues to shape the future of autonomous aviation. With its focus on cybersecurity engineering, risk-driven approach, and emphasis on mitigating GNSS and PNT threats, SecureUTM 2 is poised to become a leading solution for secure UTM operations.

In conclusion, Unifly’s successful completion of ESA NAVISP SecureUTM 2 Phase I marks an important milestone in the development of secure Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) systems across Europe. The project’s focus on cybersecurity engineering, risk-driven approach, and emphasis on mitigating GNSS and PNT threats sets a new standard for the industry.

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