By: Dawn Zoldi*
As the United States approaches unlocking routine nationwide Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone operations, industry must fully embrace higher levels of autonomy to realize the scale, safety and operational excellence that BVLOS promises. While the FAA’s recent Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) lays a solid regulatory foundation, ultimately the actions of manufacturers, service providers and operators will determine how far and fast unmanned aviation advances. Simply put: “good enough” autonomy, solutions limited to remote piloting or basic script-followed automation, won’t cut it. If industry settles for the minimum, the result will be a fragile BVLOS ecosystem that fails to meet the expectations of commerce, public safety and national infrastructure. Only by prioritizing robust, operator-independent autonomy can BVLOS airspace achieve its true potential.
The FAA’s Performance-Based BVLOS Blueprint
The newly proposed regulatory framework, crafted in response to congressional mandates in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, pivots from legacy, one-size-fits-all standards. This NPRM proposes two new regulatory pillars: Part 108, governing BVLOS operational protocols and airworthiness standards, and Part 146, certifying Automated Data Service Providers (ADSPs) to manage unmanned airspace deconfliction through real-time, data-driven automation. (See prior AG coverage of the BVLOS Rule here).
Unlike previous ad hoc waiver-based systems, the NPRM emphasizes a risk-driven structure that tightly aligns mitigation strategies to real-world ground and air risks. It divides UAS deployments into five population-density categories which tailor requirements from low-risk rural missions to the most challenging urban environments. The FAA envisions that critical advancements like strategic deconfliction, conformance monitoring and robust detect-and-avoid (DAA) technologies will safeguard airspace efficiency and safety, while balancing operator flexibility and market scalability. (See AG White Paper on the BVLOS Rule).
Autonomy: The Driver of Operational Requirements
The FAA’s NPRM unequivocally acknowledges the pivotal role of autonomy by outlining detailed operational requirements for a spectrum of operations, from manual flights to fully autonomous, operator-independent missions. The FAA has embedded autonomy not only in the NPRM’s proposed airworthiness pathways (Part 108), but also in the enabling architecture of Automated Data Service Providers (ADSPs)(Part 146).
The rule distinguishes between manual operations (still allowed under defined scenarios) and advanced missions that require robust, onboard decision-making. Specifically, for higher-risk or dense environments, such as Category 5 airspace (urban, multifamily housing), the NPRM mandates capabilities that only true autonomy can deliver: onboard detect-and-avoid (DAA), autonomous conformance monitoring and the ability to maintain performance despite GPS denial or communications loss (see §§108.41, 108.42 and 108.22).
Notably, the FAA’s modular standards explicitly support and encourage rapid integration of advanced autonomy to enable legacy and new platforms to swiftly reach higher autonomy levels without the burden of traditional certification bottlenecks. The envisioned role of ADSPs in Part 146 further reinforces the importance of autonomy by allowing their supplementation of platform capabilities with strategic deconfliction, flight monitoring and risk mitigation, all of which depend on operator-independent automation.
While the NPRM opens the path for truly autonomous platforms well beyond basic remote control, it still stops short of requiring industry-wide adoption. This permits “good enough” solutions to persist, which could unintentionally constrain the full scalability and resilience of BVLOS airspace.
Summary Table – Autonomy & Operations Requirements
| Regulatory Pillar | Autonomy-Related Requirement |
| Part 108 | Multi-sensor, onboard detect-and-avoid for Cat 5 missions |
| Part 108 | Edge-processing, communications loss handling |
| Part 108 | Modular, consensus-based airworthiness processes |
| Part 146 | Performance standards for external/integrated ADSPs |
| Part 146 | Data standards: accuracy, latency, reliability |
“Good Enough” Autonomy: Not Really Good Enough for BVLOS
Lower autonomy thresholds certainly leaves the BVLOS door open for startups and small players. This supports innovation and broadens access to advanced UAS operations. Such inclusivity gives new entrants the chance to compete, collaborate and deliver value in local markets. All of that is well and good. However, industry must recognize that minimal autonomy comes with risks that can undermine the larger promise of BVLOS at scale, such as:
- Incomplete Safeguards – Operations relying chiefly on remote pilots or basic automation are often ill-equipped for the unpredictability of dynamic or crowded airspace. These platforms may struggle with obstacles, interference and fast-changing hazards.
- Scalability Limits – Manual or lightly automated flights require constant operator oversight. This puts a ceiling on how many drones can be flown safely, especially as missions expand into urban and critical infrastructure sectors.
- Overestimated Safety – Just enough automation can create a false sense of security. Entry-level autonomy might cover basic, low-risk flights, but will falter when faced with complex conditions, adverse weather or intentional disruptions.
- Missed Opportunities – If the industry settles for the minimum, there’s little motivation to invest in advanced autonomous systems, such as edge processing, sensor fusion and true operator-independent decision-making. All of these capabilities remain essential for robust, scalable BVLOS operations.
In short, while lower autonomy lets more players join the field, sticking with “good enough” risks sacrificing lasting progress and airspace reliability. Industry leadership is needed to start embracing higher autonomy as the baseline, so can BVLOS reach its full, transformative potential.
BVLOS Imperatives: Edge Operations, Modularity and Resilience
To realize BVLOS at scale, industry needs autonomy that’s resilient, adaptable and ready for anything. Platforms that process sensor data at the edge (locally, not reliant on constant uplink) don’t just minimize network strain; they provide vital continuity when GPS or communications are jammed, spotty or intentionally disrupted. This resilience isn’t a nice-to-have. It’s central for BVLOS missions everywhere from bustling cities to rural outposts. So where is this tech? For one, Exyn Technologies provides the type of scalable, “fit-for-purpose” autonomy envisioned by the NPRM. (See Exyn White Paper on Levels of Autonomy here).
Modular Integration for Real-World Scalability
The company designed its modular Nexys system, a 3-D mapping and autonomy solution, to operate BVLOS. Nexys can autonomously navigate complex, dynamic environments without the need of a prior map, GPS or any existing wireless infrastructure.
Using sophisticated multi-sensor SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) architecture, Nexys provides robust mapping and adaptive navigation in any environment. Its onboard SLAM autonomy engine enables UAVs and robots to adapt to dynamic environments, detect & avoid obstacles, adjust to sensor failures and navigate obstructions like thin wires or people, in real-time.
Engineered for seamless integration with existing drone fleets, Nexys’ modularity also eliminates the need for expensive hardware overhauls or proprietary designs. It allows operators to effortlessly upgrade from manual flights to advanced autonomy. By interoperating, plug-and-play with popular commercial UAVs, Nexys lets operators quickly scale their capabilities without disrupting their technology base. This modular approach is vital for high-stakes operations across mining, critical infrastructure, emergency response and logistics, where resilience and adaptability are non-negotiable.
In short, Nexys delivers continuous map refinement, survey-grade accuracy and reliable autonomy under challenging conditions, all directly reflecting the FAA NPRM’s “fit-for-purpose” airworthiness and operational standards for BVLOS missions. It moves modularity and resilience for BVLOS from theory to practice by ensuring drones can safely adapt to real-world contingencies at national scale.
Future-Proofing With ExynAI SDKs
Hardware is the yin to software’s yang. ExynAI’s SDK empowers developers and operators to transform existing drone platforms into true autonomous assets. With features such as autonomous tasking (Fly-to, Explore, Inspection), real-time environmental data streaming and effortless integration with third-party command-and-control (C2) workflows, ExynAI enables rapid deployment of advanced autonomy, regulatory compliance and operational efficiency from day one. Proven resilient in challenging environments, from dusty mines to complex industrial sites, ExynAI future-proofs standard platforms by delivering the type of operator independence and scalability envisioned by the FAA’s new BVLOS rule.
““ExynAI is our proprietary software that enables real-time autonomous mapping and survey-grade accurate post-processing, basically the brains of the operation. It’s our secret sauce,” noted Exyn’s technology team. Their SDK-driven approach shortens time-to-market, reduces R&D costs and unlocks mission profiles that were previously impossible under legacy, remote-piloted models.
By investing in edge-capable, modular and software-driven autonomy like Exyn’s, industry can comply with the FAA’s NPRM and fully unlock the power and promise of BVLOS at national scale. (Request a personalized demo here.)
The Stakes: Unlocking True BVLOS At Scale
The future of unmanned aviation will be determined not just by how the regulations shake out, but by whether industry commits to real autonomy as the foundation for BVLOS success. If operators and manufacturers settle for basic remote control or minimal automation, the result may be stagnant BVLOS operations that lag in safety, efficiency and global competitiveness. The true BVLOS opportunity will only be realized if industry doubles down on autonomy.
This means investing in:
- Multi-layered autonomy: Robust SLAM, onboard edge computing and fail-safe autonomy for GPS-denied and communications-challenged environments.
- Modular integration: Flexible pathways that allow both legacy fleets and new platforms to seamlessly incorporate advanced autonomy without costly overhauls.
- Interoperability: Embracing API- and SDK-driven solutions to future-proof fleets, accelerate operational excellence and enable rapid adaptation as standards evolve.
- Safety and scalability: Deploying powerful detection, deconfliction and risk-based mitigation strategies, especially in dense, complex airspace where BVLOS will drive the most value.
Autonomy can deliver on promises of innovation, resilience and world-leading airspace management.
Going the Distance: More Autonomy, Please!
Now is the moment for industry to go all-in on true autonomy—not just as an option, but as the heart of scalable, resilient BVLOS operations. The FAA’s NPRM lays a promising regulatory groundwork, but it’s up to manufacturers, technology providers and operators to lead by investing in robust, edge-based autonomy and proven, modular solutions like ExynAI SDK and Nexys. This is the pathway to unlock a future where U.S. airspace is not only the safest and most efficient, but the most innovative in the world. Any compromise on autonomy risks leaving BVLOS capabilities vulnerable to disruption and unable to fully realize the market-changing benefits these new rules make possible. The door is open: the question is whether industry will step through it by making autonomy the baseline to ensure their businesses, and BVLOS, thrive.
*Sponsored content.
Get in Touch – Want to learn more about how Exyn Nexys can transform your 3D mapping operations? Contact their team here.