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USA launches commercial UTM operations

The safe and efficient integration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) into national airspace is one of the most pressing challenges in aviation today. As drone operations expand from isolated test cases to widespread, scalable commercial deployments, industry requires robust, interoperable UAS Traffic Management (UTM) solutions that meet regulatory requirements while ensuring safety and efficiency.  

At ANRA Technologies, we are proud to be leading this transformation. With our recent FAA Letter of Acceptance (LOA) award under the Near-term Approval Process (NTAP) for our UAS Service Supplier (USS) capabilities, ANRA has achieved a first-of-its-kind milestone—one that paves the way for multi-operator UAS operations at scale.

Why This LOA Matters

The FAA’s approval of ANRA’s Strategic Coordination Services as a safety mitigation measure represents the pivot from research to the commercial deployment of UTM services supporting a diverse set of operators to include:

• The New York Power Authority (NYPA): Utilizing drones for critical infrastructure inspections without requiring on-site visual observers, reducing costs and increasing efficiency, their BVLOS Waiver was updated to include ANRA’s UTM services
• The Arlington Police Department (APD): Enhancing public safety operations by integrating ANRA’s UTM services into its Certificate of Authorization (COA) for safer, more coordinated urban drone deployments.
• Manna Drone Delivery: Leveraging ANRA’s UTM capabilities for safe and efficient shared airspace operations in Texas, setting the foundation for future expansion internationally.
• Matternet Delivery: ANRA is supporting the management of Matternet delivery drones and their flight paths for strategic deconfliction with other drones, reducing the risk of collision.

This multi-operator approach of public and commercial operations is revolutionizing the U.S. drone industry, proving that UTM can safely enable shared airspace operations for different mission types without requiring proprietary, vertically integrated systems.

FAA Validation: Recognizing the Need for UTM

The FAA’s NTAP LOA approval required ANRA’s UTM system to undergo rigorous validation against ASTM F3548-21, the standard specification for UTM interoperability. The FAA conducted a comprehensive review and found the ANRA services provided a safety layer as a risk mitigation based on analysis of several artifacts provided by ANRA:

• UAS Service Provider Data Sharing and Governance Agreement 
• Service Level Agreement 
• Service Description Document
• InterUSS test report showing that all tests conducted on specific elements or portions of elements of ASTM F3548-21 were passed.  

By securing FAA approval, ANRA demonstrated that its UTM services provide a crucial safety layer for commercial and public safety drone operations. This approval enables operators to leverage our UTM capabilities as part of their Waiver or COA applications, helping accelerate regulatory approvals for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) and scalable drone operations. 

Looking ahead, the FAA has stated the next drone rule, often referred to as “Part 108”, will include UTM services that will likely resemble ANRA’s LOA and perhaps more.  

What This Means for Industry and DFR

ANRA stands out as the only non-vertically integrated UTM service provider to receive a LOA. Unlike other providers that bundle UTM services with proprietary drones and hardware, ANRA’s open and interoperable platform is designed to support a wide range of operators, aircraft, and mission types. This independence ensures that ANRA’s UTM solution remains accessible to any operator – public or commercial – seeking FAA approval for Waivers or COAs. 

However, this milestone is not just about ANRA—it’s about the industry’s shift toward an interoperable, scalable UTM ecosystem that supports multiple operators, making safe and efficient shared airspace a reality.

• Enterprises: Organizations with drone programs—whether for inspections, logistics, or surveying—now have an FAA-recognized UTM solution that can streamline airspace approvals and safety management.
• Drone as a First Responder (DFR): Police departments, emergency responders, and government organizations can integrate proven UTM services into their operations, reducing risk and improving coordination across agencies. As commercial operations expand, so too will the need to equip DFR operators with UTM services to ensure access to shared airspace with the appropriate prioritization for first responders and law enforcement.
• Drone Delivery Providers: Drone Delivery and similar companies are now able to scale drone delivery operations more efficiently within a regulated framework, paving the way for urban and suburban expansion.
• Investors and Industry Leaders: The FAA’s validation of ANRA’s UTM platform highlights the commercial readiness of scalable UTM solutions. As shared airspace operations become more common, investors should take note of how digital services will unlock more complex use cases and increased ROI.

Partner with ANRA

By remaining independent of specific drone manufacturers or hardware, ANRA’s open and interoperable UTM platform provides a flexible and scalable solution that supports a broad range of operators, aircraft, and mission types.

If your organization is navigating the complexities of waiver applications, COAs, or BVLOS approvals, our team is ready to help. Let’s work together to build a scalable, safe, and compliant drone ecosystem that unlocks the full potential of UAS operations.

Contact us today to explore how ANRA’s FAA-approved UTM services can support your operations at sales@flyanra.com or visit us at www.flyanra.com