Aircraft
UAVs get warm welcome in Swiss civilian airspace
Don’t be alarmed if you see some unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) going about their business in the skies over Switzerland.

Don’t be alarmed if you see some unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) going about their business in the skies over Switzerland. While authorities in the U.S. and the rest of Europe try to reconcile safety issues with a growing demand to allow UAVs to fly in civil airspace, Switzerland already has been proving the concept.

For several years, Ranger UAVs–produced as a joint venture between Israel Aircraft Industries and Switzerland’s Ruag Aerospace (Booth No. 1470)–have been certified for operation in civil airspace by the Swiss air force. From the beginning, it was a requirement that the Ranger be able (and allowed) to fly in civilian airspace, despite the fact that Swiss airspace is usually quite full and criss-crossed with busy European airways.