The Vertical Space
The Vertical Space
Jim Barry, Peter Shannon & Luka Tomljenovic
#100 Chris Hewlett, Project ULTRA: Why DoD will lead UAS integration
1 hour 30 minutes Posted Sep 25, 2025 at 11:00 am.
Community-Based Traffic Management Debate
Future of Air Traffic Management
Integration of Unmanned Systems
Market Predictions and Realities
Logistics and ISR Applications
Speeding Up Integration Processes
Debating the Role of DOD in Commercial Airspace
Challenges and Considerations for Part 108
Project Ultra: Concept and Development
Lessons learned from UAS tests
Advice to innovators
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1:30:59
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Show notes
In this 100th episode, we sit down with Chris Hewlett, former Navy Commander and Director of Project Ultra, for a candid conversation about the realities of UAS integration. Chris challenges the industry’s rush toward community-based traffic management and questions whether UTM, as commonly envisioned, can ever deliver safe and scalable integration. He argues instead that the Department of Defense, through rigorous test, evaluation, and rapid operational deployment, will set the standard for ...