ASTM F2910-22

Standard Specification for Design and Construction of a Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS)

ABSTRACT
This specification establishes the design, construction, and test requirements for a small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS). It is intended for all sUAS that are permitted to operate over a defined area and in airspace authorized by a nation's governing aviation authority (GAA). Unless otherwise specified by a nation’s GAA, this specification applies only to UA that have a maximum takeoff gross weight of 55 lb/25 kg or less.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification defines the design, construction, and test requirements for a small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS).  
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.3 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Sep-2022
• ICS: 49.020 - Aircraft and space vehicles in general
• Technical Committee: F38 - Unmanned Aircraft Systems
• Drafting Committee: F38.01 - Airworthiness

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F2910 −22
Standard Specification for
Design and Construction of a Small Unmanned Aircraft
1
System (sUAS)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2910; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3. Terminology
1.1 This specification defines the design, construction, and
3.1 Unique and Common Terminology—Terminology used
test requirements for a small unmanned aircraft system
in multiple standards is defined in F3341/F3341M, UAS
(sUAS).
Terminology Standard and F3060, Aircraft Terminology Stan-
dard.Terminology that is unique to this specification is defined
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the in this section.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.1.1 continued safe flight, n—a condition whereby a UAis
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
capable of continued safe flight, possibly using emergency
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
procedures, without requiring exceptional pilot skill. Upon
1.3 This international standard was developed in accor-
landing some UA damage may occur as a result of a failure
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
condition.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
3.1.2 launch and recovery load, n—those loads experienced
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
during normal launch and recovery of the UA.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
3.1.3 limit load, n—those loads experienced in the normal
operation and maintenance of the UA.
2. Referenced Documents
2
3.1.4 manufacturer, n—entity responsible for assembly and
2.1 ASTM Standards:
integration of components and subsystems to create a safe
F2908 Specification for Unmanned Aircraft Flight Manual
operating sUAS.
(UFM) for an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS)
F2909 Specification for Continued Airworthiness of Light-
3.1.5 permanent deformation, n—aconditionwherebyaUA
weight Unmanned Aircraft Systems
structure is altered such that it does not return to the shape
F2911 Practice for Production Acceptance of Small Un-
required for normal flight.
manned Aircraft System (sUAS)
3.1.6 propulsion system, n—consists of one or more power
F3002 Specification for Design of the Command and Con-
plants (for example, a combustion engine or an electric motor
trolSystemforSmallUnmannedAircraftSystems(sUAS)
F3003 Specification for Quality Assurance of a Small Un- and, if used, a propeller or rotor) together with the associated
manned Aircraft System (sUAS) installation of fuel system, control and electrical power supply
F3005 Specification for Batteries for Use in Small Un-
(for example, batteries, electronic speed controls, fuel cells, or
manned Aircraft Systems (sUAS)
other energy supply).
F3060 Terminology for Aircraft
3.1.7 small unmanned aircraft system, sUAS, n—composed
F3341/F3341M Terminology for Unmanned Aircraft Sys-
ofthesmallunmannedaircraft(sUA)andallrequiredon-board
tems
subsystems, payload, control station, other required off-board
subsystems, any required launch and recovery equipment, and
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F38 on
command and control (C2) links between the sUA and the
UnmannedAircraftSystemsandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeF38.01
control station. For purposes of this standard sUAS is synony-
on Airworthiness.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2022. Published December 2022. Originally
mous with a small Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (sRPAS)
approved in 2014. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as F2910–14. DOI:
andsUAissynonymouswithasmallRemotelyPilotedAircraft
10.1520/F2910-22.
2 (sRPA).
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
3.1.8 structural failure, n—a condition whereby the struc-
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. ture is not able to carry normal operating loads.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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F2910 − 22
3.1.9 supplier, n—any entity engaged in the design and but is not limited to: containing the fire if the
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: F2910 − 14 F2910 − 22
Standard Specification for
Design and Construction of a Small Unmanned Aircraft
1
System (sUAS)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2910; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This specification defines the design, construction, and test requirements for a small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS).
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.3 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
F2908 Specification for Unmanned Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM)(UFM) for a Small an Unmanned Aircraft System
(sUAS)(UAS)
F2909 PracticeSpecification for Maintenance and Continued Airworthiness of SmallLightweight Unmanned Aircraft Systems
(sUAS)
F2911 Practice for Production Acceptance of a Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS)
F3002 Specification for Design of the Command and Control System for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS)
F3003 Specification for Quality Assurance of a Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS)
F3005 Specification for Batteries for Use in Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS)
F3060 Terminology for Aircraft
F3341/F3341M Terminology for Unmanned Aircraft Systems
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:Unique and Common Terminology—Terminology used in multiple standards
is defined in F3341/F3341M, UAS Terminology Standard and F3060, Aircraft Terminology Standard. Terminology that is unique
to this specification is defined in this section.
3.1.1 continued safe flight, n—a condition whereby a UA is capable of continued safe flight, possibly using emergency procedures,
without requiring exceptional pilot skill. Upon landing some UA damage may occur as a result of a failure condition.
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F38 on Unmanned Aircraft Systems and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F38.01 on
Airworthiness.
Current edition approved Jan. 15, 2014Oct. 1, 2022. Published January 2014December 2022. Originally approved in 2014. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as
F2910–14. DOI: 10.1520/F2910-14.10.1520/F2910-22.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’sstandard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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F2910 − 22
3.1.2 launch and recovery load, n—those loads experienced during normal launch and recovery of the UA.
3.1.3 limit load, n—those loads experienced in the normal operation and maintenance of the UA.
3.1.4 manufacturer, n—entity responsible for assembly and integration of components and subsystems to create a safe operating
sUAS.
3.1.5 permanent deformation, n—a condition whereby a UA structure is altered such that it does not return to the shape required
for normal flight.
3.1.6 propulsion system, n—consists of one or more power plants (for example, a combustion engine or an electric motor and, if
used, a propeller or rotor) together with the associated installation of fuel system, control and electrical power supply (for example,
batteries, electronic speed controls, fuel cells, or other energy supply).
3.1.7 small unmanned aircraft system, sUAS, n—composed of the small unmanned aircraft (sUA) and all required on-board
subsystems, payload, control station, other required off-board subsystems, any required launch and recovery equipment, and
command and control (C2) links between the sUA and the control station. For purposes of this standard sUAS is synonymous with
a small Remote
...