ASTM F3442-25 PDF

Full title and description

Standard Specification for Detect and Avoid System Performance Requirements — ASTM F3442-25. This specification defines performance thresholds, metrics, and methods to demonstrate compliance for Detect-and-Avoid (DAA) systems intended for smaller unmanned aircraft (UA) operating in lower-risk airspace; it is architecture-agnostic and focuses on safety performance for resolving encounters between unmanned and crewed aircraft.

Abstract

ASTM F3442-25 establishes measurable performance requirements and verification methods for DAA capabilities on small UAs (maximum dimension ≤ 25 ft and airspeeds below 100 kts) intended to reduce the risk of mid-air collisions in lower-risk airspace (typical Classes G and E and some portions of B, C, D, and LAANC-authorized areas). The standard is intended to be used by system integrators, sensor suppliers, UA developers, and other stakeholders to design, evaluate, and demonstrate DAA functionality (including metrics aligned with sNMAC and other proxy safety measures).

General information

• Status: Active specification (current as published).
• Publication date: March 1, 2025.
• Publisher: ASTM International.
• ICS / categories: 03.220.50 (Air transport).
• Edition / version: F3442-25 (designation year 2025).
• Number of pages: 51 pages.

Details above are taken from the ASTM record and recognized standards distributors.

Scope

The specification applies to smaller unmanned aircraft encountering crewed aircraft in generally lower-risk operational environments. It assumes mixed cooperative and non-cooperative traffic and addresses encounter conditions typical for general aviation and smaller crewed aircraft (including rotorcraft and light-sport aircraft). F3442-25 sets safety-performance thresholds, defines metrics (including alignment with sNMAC concepts), and provides methods for demonstrating compliance; it does not prescribe a single DAA architecture nor does it cover avoidance of wildlife or natural hazards.

Key topics and requirements

• Performance thresholds for detect-and-avoid functionality (detection ranges, timelines to well-clear, and encounter resolution metrics).
• Applicability limits (UA size and speed envelope: max dimension ≤ 25 ft; airspeed < 100 kts).
• Mixed cooperative and non-cooperative traffic assumptions and operational environment definitions (airspace classes and LAANC considerations).
• Safety metrics alignment (sNMAC proxy and related mid-air collision mitigation measures).
• Compliance demonstration methods, testing and verification guidance, and system integration considerations.
• Provision for incident logging and considerations for future refinement (work item and revision activity noted by ASTM).

Typical use and users

Intended users include DAA system designers and integrators, sensor and payload suppliers, UA and UAS developers, control station and flight-control designers, and UAS service providers. Regulators, certification authorities, and operators may use the specification as a performance-based means to demonstrate compliance with “see-and-avoid” regulatory intents in applicable airspace.

Related standards

F3442-25 references and aligns conceptually with aviation safety metrics such as RTCA DO-396 (sNMAC metric alignment) and other civil aviation guidance on see-and-avoid and DAA performance. It also sits within ASTM F38 committee work on UAS and is subject to ongoing revision work items to refine probabilistic definitions and operational guidance.

Keywords

Detect-and-Avoid (DAA), unmanned aircraft (UA), UAS, see-and-avoid, sNMAC, mid-air collision mitigation, DAA performance, sensor integration, ASTM F3442-25, airspace safety.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM F3442-25 is a performance specification that defines safety thresholds, metrics, and compliance methods for Detect-and-Avoid systems intended for smaller unmanned aircraft operating in lower-risk airspace.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers required DAA performance (detection ranges, timelines to well-clear, encounter resolution), assumptions about traffic and environment, methods to demonstrate compliance, and integration considerations; it does not mandate a specific DAA architecture or address natural hazards or bird avoidance.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: DAA system developers and integrators, UA manufacturers, sensor suppliers, control-station and flight-control designers, UAS service providers, and regulators evaluating performance-based compliance.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: As published, F3442-25 is active (published March 1, 2025). ASTM has active work items to revise and refine certain elements of the specification, so users should monitor ASTM committee activity for updates.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is a standalone ASTM F-designated specification produced by the ASTM F38 committee work on unmanned aircraft systems; it references and aligns with relevant aviation guidance and technical documents (for example, RTCA DO-396 for certain metrics).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Detect-and-Avoid, DAA, Unmanned Aircraft, UAS, see-and-avoid, mid-air collision mitigation, sNMAC, ASTM F3442-25.