NATO AAMEDP-1.25 PDF

INTRODUCTION

Over the past decade, hundreds of UAS have been designed and brought into service within both civilian and military sectors of various NATO nations. The increasing role of these UAS, and the increasingly sophisticated tasks which they undertake, have highlighted the need to develop and monitor the medical requirements of those operating such aircraft. Analysis of the medical and human factors associated with the operation and safety of UAS have not kept pace with rapid developments in UAS design and their increasing integration into complex / non-segregated airspace.

As such, medical standards and policies have been developed in response to short-term requirements. However, a more thorough, safe and conceptual approach is required accommodating the personal, medical and skill requirements for the selection and continued employment of UAS operators. 

While the core competences for UAS employment lie beyond medical scope, aspects of this employment will have medical implications and will overlap to varying degrees with orthodox pilots, for example, spatial awareness / orientation or the effects of medications on performance. In addition, conditions leading to either gradual or sudden incapacitation may also result in risk to the UAS and the mission, although without the personal safety issues associated with manned flight, hence the need for the medical component of Flight Crew Licensing. That said resilience may be present or enhanced through the use of UAS automated flight profiles and the ability to ‘handover’ control to Launch and Recovery Element (LRE) crews. 

Nevertheless, it is considered necessary for operators to be, as a minimum, fit according to national military retention medical standards, and normally to hold an employment standard permitting worldwide deployment. Beyond this minimum, it is the classification of the UAS which becomes the guiding factor for medical standards based on the risks of operation.