NATO AEP-80 PDF

AIM

This document contains a set of technical airworthiness requirements intended for the airworthiness certification of rotary-wing military UAV Systems with a maximum take-off weight between 150 and 3175 kg that intend to regularly operate in non-segregated airspace. Certifying Authorities may apply these certification requirements outside these limits where appropriate.

These requirements represent the minimum acceptable airworthiness requirements for design and construction of military rotorcraft UAVs intended to operate in non-segregated airspace. It may be augmented by additional Special Conditions (i.e. additional airworthiness requirements) required by Certifying Authorities. The USAR-RW is intended for application by Certifying Authorities within each country's relevant national regulatory framework.

These requirements may not be sufficient for the certification of rotary wing UAV Systems with unconventional, novel or extremely complex features. Additionally, USAR-RW may be insufficient for rotary wing UAV Systems with a design usage spectrum significantly different from that of General Aviation. Nevertheless, the USAR-RW may have significant value for assessing all or parts of such systems and Certifying Authorities are encouraged where appropriate to use these requirements as a basis for certification of such systems within their national regulatory frameworks. Rotorcraft UAV Systems (including block upgrades to legacy systems) designed prior to the approval of this document may not comply with these requirements. Appropriate standards and airworthiness certification for these systems for flight in non-segregated airspace, many of which are consistent with this document, are the responsibility of each Certifying Authority.

Terms and definitions are listed in USAR-RW LEXICON A.1 and abbreviations used within the document are listed in USAR-RW LEXICON A.2. Throughout this document, the term ‘Type Certificate’ refers to any document issued by the Certifying Authority that certifies compliance with USAR-RW. Where the Certifying Authority issues an alternative document to a Type Certificate (such as a Release To Service, Military Aircraft Type Qualification Certificate or Flight Permit, which may include items outside the scope of USAR-RW) it is expected that the degree of compliance with USAR-RW will be clearly stated therein.