ANSI's May 2025 Report Highlights Standards for UAS Integration

Supporting Safer Skies: ANSI Releases Gaps Progress Report on UAS

On May 19, 2025, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) unveiled the May 2025 Gaps Progress Report, a crucial document aimed at enhancing the safe integration of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) into the national airspace. This initiative is pivotal as it addresses the evolving challenges associated with UAS technologies, ensuring they can operate alongside traditional manned aircraft without compromising safety.

Importance of the Gaps Progress Report

The Gaps Progress Report builds on findings from the ANSI Unmanned Aircraft Systems Standardization Collaborative (UASSC) established in 2017, which has sought to coordinate the standardization efforts across various stakeholders involved in UAS operations. The report specifically identifies 15 significant challenges—termed “gaps”—ranging from issues of airworthiness to flight operations that have been highlighted in the UASSC’s 2020 publication titled Standardization Roadmap for Unmanned Aircraft Systems.

These gaps illustrate the variety of standardization needs that must be addressed to facilitate the seamless integration of UAS within the National Airspace System (NAS). As the UAS industry continues to innovate and grow, it is imperative that these standards evolve to keep pace with the technology advancements and ensure that safety protocols remain robust.

Methodology of the Report

Compiled by ANSI staff, the report reflects input from various standards developing organizations (SDOs), industry experts, and independent research. It charts newly published standards alongside ongoing projects aimed at addressing the identified gaps. However, it is essential to note that this report is not a consensus document; instead, it functions as a living document that will be regularly updated and maintained until a new version of the standardization roadmap is established by the UASSC.

By incorporating feedback and suggestions for future roadmap modifications, the report aims to remain relevant in the fast-paced technological environment of UAS.

Collaboration and Support

The UASSC has garnered support from over 400 individuals representing 250 public and private sector organizations, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and various academic institutions. This collaborative effort reflects a unified approach to tackle the regulatory and technical challenges that UAS face in the aviation landscape.

ANSI's facilitation of the UASSC is partially supported by contributions from the FAA, emphasizing the government's commitment to advancing UAS technologies safely and effectively. For stakeholders interested in contributing to the Gaps Progress Report or staying informed on its developments, ANSI provides a mailing list for updates.

ANSI's Role

The American National Standards Institute plays a critical role in enhancing the global competitiveness of U.S. businesses and improving the quality of life via voluntary consensus standards. Representing a broad spectrum of interests—from businesses and trade associations to government agencies and consumer organizations—ANSI serves over 270,000 companies and 30 million professionals globally. This makes it a vital player in the standardization and implementation of emerging technologies, including UAS, within the international framework of aviation standards.

For more information on ANSI or to access the latest Gaps Progress Report, visit www.ansi.org/uassc. The evolving landscape of unmanned aircraft systems holds tremendous potential for various industries, and with collaborative efforts like those from ANSI and UASSC, the path toward safe and efficient integration into the airspace looks increasingly promising.