API security and ML pipeline
API security as a service to shrink the growing API attack surface, backed by an AI/ML pipeline that ingests high-volume data in real time and pre-processes it for each requirement.
R&D · Urban Air Mobility
UAM Fleet Management: secure skies for urban air mobility
A blockchain-secured approach to managing urban air mobility fleets. HCISS combines UAV authentication, verified service data, AI/ML analytics and an Autonomous Breach Protection Dashboard to support safe, reliable and autonomous operations.
The platform
Three components on a decentralized oracle network
Built as a Chainlink decentralized oracle cloud network application, the platform brings API security, ML-driven analytics and an interactive security agent together.
Autonomous Breach Protection Dashboard
AI/ML prediction-based security analytics with KYT reporting. A graph database interface with integrated ML inferences lets users find insights without writing query code.
BSECABot security agent
A cloud-based security interactive agent that delivers alerts, threat modeling analysis and reporting in an intuitive, conversational way.
Blockchain integration design
How the UAM blockchain infrastructure fits together
Flows are refined as detailed requirements arrive, and implementation follows agile development methods.
Infrastructure
GNSS provides each UAV with 3D coordinates, speed and time; base stations provide network coverage and controller communications.
Blockchain ES
The core of the secure UAM infrastructure. It authenticates UAVs joining the network through broadcast certificates and digital signatures, manages registered services, verifies service responses and data integrity, and evaluates node credit through service feedback.
Blockchain DB
Persistent storage for UAV certificates, service records, hash values, credit evaluations and UAV services.
UAV client
Controllers and user UAVs that handle control and configuration such as location and landing-point settings.
Nominal operations
UAM operations with HCISS as third-party service provider
| Stage | HCISS operations |
|---|---|
| Flight planning | Provide and validate traffic data and reports; collect and validate flight data |
| Pre-flight | Allocate command and control (C2) and detect-and-avoid (DAA) coverage along the flight route |
| Departure & beginning of flight | Verify C2; verify DAA |
| In flight | Monitor airspace and flight path; UAV integrity checks; hazard detection, management and analytics |
Results
Autonomous Breach Protection Dashboard
Supports and automates hazard and threat identification through a selection of hazard and threat analysis techniques.
Safety and security analysis
- HAZOP and THROP analysis
- Scenario evaluation
- Threat and hazard likelihood
- Threat severity metrics and risk control
Verification and validation
- UAV authentication to the network
- Route and travel-path verification
- Command and control verification
- Events handling
Dynamic risk management
- Contract-based monitoring
- Anomaly detection
- Attack detection
- Risk reduction
Analytics and reporting
- Alerts
- Smart contract report metrics
- Predictive analytic reports
- Route and UAV reports
Outcomes and research context
A drone-based risk management approach powered by blockchain and smart contracts, so risk-related processes run effectively and efficiently.
Data security monitoring
Continuous monitoring across HCISS microservices.
Smart contract scanning
Scanning and monitoring for vulnerabilities in smart contract code.
Interactive security agent
Alerts and threat modeling through BSECABot.
Next phase
Further research, analysis and business model development within Boeing's digital twin UAM project initiative.
FAQ
About UAM Fleet Management
What is urban air mobility fleet management?
It is the coordination of drones and other urban air vehicles across planning, pre-flight, departure and in-flight stages, including authentication, route verification, hazard detection and reporting.
Why use blockchain for UAM?
A blockchain edge service can authenticate UAVs joining the network, verify service data and keep tamper-evident records of certificates, services and evaluations that every participant can trust.
Is UAM Fleet Management available today?
It is an HCISS research and case-study initiative. We welcome conversations with UAM operators, manufacturers and research programs.
Building for the Urban Airspace?
Talk to HCISS about securing UAV fleets, flight data and the services around them.