Understanding Autonomy: The ALFUS Framework
Before we discuss Sorair’s journey toward fully autonomous drone operations, it’s essential to set the stage. The autonomy of unmanned systems is often measured against the NIST ALFUS (Autonomy Levels for Unmanned Systems) Framework, which has been widely adopted by regulators (including JARUS) and industry as a benchmark.
ALFUS defines five levels of autonomy:
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Level 1 – Human Operated: The pilot controls everything; the drone only provides basic stability.
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Level 2 – Human Assisted: Automation supports the pilot (e.g. GPS hold, altitude hold), but humans make all decisions.
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Level 3 – Human Delegated: Specific tasks can be delegated to the drone (e.g. waypoint navigation), but under pilot monitoring.
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Level 4 – Human Supervised: The system can perform complex tasks with limited human oversight, handling some risks directly (e.g. detect-and-avoid).
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Level 5 – Fully Autonomous: The drone plans, executes, and adapts missions autonomously, maintaining safety and compliance without human intervention.
This framework allows us to map our current operations and future goals. Currently, most commercial drone operations worldwide fall into the categories of Level 2 and Level 3. Sorair, through its UK-wide BVLOS (VM) approval, has already stepped into an intermediate Level 3+ — and our roadmap is aligned to progress through Level 4 and ultimately to Level 5.
Sorair’s Milestone: Level 3+ Autonomy
Most commercial drone systems today operate somewhere between Level 2 (Human-Assisted) and Level 3 (Human-Delegated). A remote pilot sets the mission, automation executes it, but the safety net still relies heavily on humans — usually in the form of a visual line of sight (VLOS) pilot.
In July 2025, Sorair achieved a major breakthrough by securing the UK’s first nationwide approval for BVLOS (Visual Mitigation) operations under the new UKSORA AMC. This milestone represents what we refer to as Level 3+ autonomy.
Here’s why:
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The drones execute pre-programmed patrols and missions automatically, without constant manual input.
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At the same time, Visual Observers remain in place to provide tactical air risk mitigation, ensuring compliance with the SORA framework.
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This creates a hybrid state — more automated than standard VLOS, but not yet at the point where the system itself provides all safety mitigations.
This approval demonstrates not only the maturity of our operational processes but also the CAA’s confidence in Sorair’s approach to safe BVLOS operations. It lays the foundation for our progression into Level 4 autonomy, where tactical mitigations begin to shift from humans to the system itself.
The Next Leap: Level 4 Autonomy
Reaching Level 4 – Human Supervised autonomy means shifting from humans providing the tactical safety net to the system itself taking on that responsibility. At this stage, drones don’t just execute pre-set missions — they actively contribute to safety management by integrating into the wider airspace environment and applying onboard mitigations.
For Sorair, the path to Level 4 is built on a central concept
Airspace Integration
For the UK, Level 4 autonomy is only possible if unmanned aircraft can be safely integrated into the airspace without reliance on visual observers. This is where CAP 3040 (Atypical Air Environment policy) and the UK’s Airspace Modernisation Strategy (AMS) provide the framework
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Electronic Conspicuity (EC) is the foundation: all airspace users must be electronically visible to each other, enabling cooperative detection and avoidance.
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CAP 3040 defines how EC allows BVLOS operations within AAEs, where manned aircraft are highly unlikely to be present.
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OpenAir, NATS’ proposed nationwide data service, builds on this by providing a single source of truth for aeronautical data, ensuring that drones, crewed aircraft, and service providers share the same airspace picture.
By combining EC adoption, CAP 3040 compliance, and future OpenAir integration, drones can scale BVLOS without visual observers. The remote pilot shifts from safety net to supervisor, as the system itself manages air and ground risks — marking Sorair’s transition from Level 3+ to Level 4 autonomy.
Why Security and Surveillance?
The journey to higher levels of autonomy isn’t just about technology; it’s about finding the right environment to prove it safely and meaningfully. For Sorair, that environment is the security and surveillance sector.
Here’s why:
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Clear Operational Constraints
Security and surveillance operations often occur on designated sites, such as ports, industrial estates, or critical infrastructure. These environments may or may not be access-controlled, but they typically allow operators to set clear spatial and temporal boundaries for flight. This makes it easier to apply SORA’s ground risk mitigations, since activity patterns are predictable and the presence of uninvolved persons can be more easily managed. -
Repetitive Patrols
Surveillance tasks are often routine and repetitive, such as conducting perimeter checks or monitoring assets. This makes them ideally suited to automation, allowing drones to handle the workload consistently while freeing human staff to focus on higher-level decisions. -
Real Operational Need
The sector faces real challenges — from rising labour costs to the demand for 24/7 coverage. Autonomous drones can provide cost-effective, scalable surveillance, creating immediate value while simultaneously generating the regulatory and safety evidence base needed to mature autonomy for broader applications. -
Alignment with AAE
Security sites often qualify as Atypical Air Environments (AAEs) under CAP 3040, where manned air traffic is extremely unlikely. This makes them the perfect proving ground for BVLOS operations without visual observers, accelerating the pathway to Level 4 autonomy.
In short, the security sector provides a controlled, high-need environment where autonomy can be safely proven, delivering value today while laying the foundations for tomorrow’s fully autonomous operations.
