On August 7, 2025, the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) issued a transformational Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for Part 108. This long-anticipated regulation introduces a scalable, standardized framework for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone operations in the U.S., replacing the legacy system of waivers and exemptions. Put simply, Part 108 lays the framework to enable operators, manufacturers, and automated data service providers (ADSPs) to conduct BVLOS missions, providing they meet certain criteria.
Part 108 does not simply open the skies; it introduces a set of rules and safety assurances around autonomy, cybersecurity, and airspace management. Drones are no longer novelties or limited-scope inspection tools, they are evolving into critical airborne infrastructure. However, there is one key component that all drones will rely on to comply with the regulation and that is precision accuracy.
Why precise GNSS is fundamental to the success of BVLOS
For BVLOS operations to be safe, repeatable, and compliant, UAVs must navigate without any visual or human oversight. In dense urban environments, remote regions, or infrastructure corridors, the margin for error is incredibly thin. It is here where GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) steps up and becomes critical for numerous reasons.
First, without line-of-sight, there is no pilot or observer to intervene. Positioning must be so accurate that the system can reliably avoid obstacles, adhere to flight corridors, and land on confined surfaces without human aid.
Second, urban and regulated airspaces require pinpoint compliance. Drones operating at scale must be able to fly in virtual digital lanes, maintain altitude thresholds, and avoid restricted zones with unwavering accuracy.
Third, shared airspace introduces complexity. Multiple drones may operate simultaneously across vertical and horizontal paths. Without precise GNSS-based separation, the risk of collision or deviation grows exponentially.
Lastly, even basic manoeuvres, like takeoffs and landings, require centimeter precision in BVLOS conditions. Meter-level GPS (Global Positioning System) lacks the precision depth to ensure mission success, especially when operating near critical infrastructure, populated areas, restricted land or autonomously returning to a base charging terminal.
What Part 108 Actually Demands
Part 108 introduces new operational roles, permissions, and pathways. The regulation segments operations into categories based on population density, introduces both permit and certificate models, and tasks the operator, not the FAA, with the primary burden of airspace safety and coordination. In addition, Part 108 places high importance on operators to provide robust cybersecurity, flight data integrity and auditable flight traceability.
As a result, for me, this means that operators are expected to build systems that are reliable, resilient, and automated. Without high-integrity, centimeter level GNSS positioning, fulfilling these requirements will be difficult.
GNSS RTK solutions: precision built for scale
To achieve centimetre-level accuracy, GNSS RTK (real-time kinematic) offers a fully integrated solution designed to support next-generation drone operations under frameworks like Part 108. The technology is engineered to balance accuracy, affordability, and system integration. Critically for OEMs, Network-delivered GNSS RTK eliminates deploying and maintaining local base stations, reducing OPEX and widening service footprints.
However, it is important that any GNSS RTK solution used in BVLOS operations in the US is developed and manufactured in the West. This ensures that operators are working with technology that is not only highly accurate, but also compliant with stringent data privacy and cybersecurity standards. Western-built systems offer greater transparency, accountability, and assurance that sensitive operational data will be securely managed, an essential consideration for regulators, enterprise users, and operators of national infrastructure.
GNSS RTK offerings include:
- High-performance receivers optimized for size, weight, and power constraints in UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles)
- A global real-time kinematic (RTK) correction service that enables consistent centimeter-level accuracy across continents
- End-to-end encryption and signal authentication, ensuring both positioning precision and cybersecurity compliance
With this ecosystem, UAV operators gain the ability to:
- Conduct reliable autonomous takeoffs and landings, even in constrained or dynamic environments
- Maintain continuous spatial awareness, critical for regulatory adherence and safety
- Navigate virtual flight paths with high fidelity, reducing the risk of airspace violations
- Support multi-UAV fleet operations without risking collision or mission disruption
Real-World Use Cases Empowered by Precision
Across sectors, the ability to fly BVLOS with confidence unlocks enormous value:
In urban delivery, where drones must drop payloads on rooftops or narrow drop zones, centimeter-level GNSS ensures packages arrive safely and consistently without interfering with manned aircraft or violating no-fly zones.
In infrastructure inspection, drones must often navigate near power lines, pipelines, and railways. Precision GNSS allows UAVs to hover, inspect, and document critical infrastructure from optimal angles and distances without risking contact or drift.
In agriculture, swarm drone operations for crop monitoring, spraying, or planting require synchronized movement across vast acreage. Only with centimetre positional accuracy can these swarms operate efficiently without overlap or omission.
In emergency response, speed and accuracy are paramount. Whether locating a lost hiker or assessing disaster zones, precision GNSS allows autonomous drones to rapidly search large areas with the confidence that their flight paths are accurate, repeatable, and verifiable.
Elevating BVLOS Through Precision
So it’s clear to me that Part 108 marks a new regulatory era in drone aviation, but it places the burden of proof on the operator. The FAA is asking the industry to self-certify its technology stack, systems, and airspace accuracy protocols. In this high-stakes environment, precise positioning is not a feature, surely it has to be a non-negotiable foundation?
Mass market and affordable centimeter-level GNSS technology, combined with global correction services and robust cybersecurity, gives UAV manufacturers and service providers the tools to scale confidently, comply effortlessly, and lead the next generation of aerial innovation.
By Neil Hamilton
About the Author
Neil Hamilton is a GNSS specialist at u‑blox, a global leader in satellite positioning and wireless communications. With over 25 years in technology business development, Neil’s team at u-blox partner with drone OEMs and systems integrators, equipping them with precise, reliable positioning for safe and scalable BVLOS operations.
About The Author
