Voluna Inc. Petitions FAA for UAS Exemption for Landmine Detection Operations
Summary
Voluna Inc. submitted a petition to the FAA requesting exemption from specified Federal Aviation Regulations for the operation of an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) exceeding 55 pounds gross weight. The UAS would be equipped with Neutron Gamma Activation Analysis (NGNAA) detection technology for humanitarian demining operations to discover, identify, and locate landmines and unexploded ordnance. The petition references 14 C.F.R. § 91 and includes confidential operational, safety, training, and maintenance documentation.
What changed
Voluna Inc. has filed a petition requesting FAA exemption from Federal Aviation Regulations for research and development operations of a UAS exceeding 55 pounds equipped with Neutron Gamma Activation Analysis technology. The petition covers operations involving landmine and unexploded ordnance detection under 14 C.F.R. § 91. Supporting documentation includes confidential CONOPS, operational safety, risk assessment, training, and maintenance manuals.
Affected parties include UAS operators, humanitarian demining organizations, and companies developing detection technologies for explosive hazard remediation. If the exemption is granted, it would establish precedent for similar UAS operations involving specialized detection equipment in regulated airspace. Operators should monitor this docket for FAA determination and potential conditions that may accompany any exemption grant.
What to do next
- Monitor FAA docket FAA-2026-3859 for agency action on exemption request
- Prepare for potential public comment period if FAA seeks stakeholder input
- Review 14 C.F.R. § 91 requirements applicable to proposed UAS operations
Archived snapshot
Apr 8, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Comment
THE COMPANY petitions for an exemption from the listed FAR’s for the research and development operation of an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) with a gross weight of less than 353 lbs. equipped with a detection and location system using Neutron Gamma Activation Analysis (NGNAA) to discover, identify and locate landmines and unexploded ordinance (UXO) as per 14 C.F.R. § 91.
Attachments 7
Attachment1VOLUNA INCSubmission Summary
Attachment2VOLUNA INCRulemakingOver55lbs
Attachment3CONFIDENTIALVOLUNA INC_CONOPS Manual
Restricted: Confidential Business Information
Attachment4CONFIDENTIALVOLUNA INC_Operation and Safety Manual
Restricted: Confidential Business Information
Attachment5CONFIDENTIALVOLUNA INC_Risk Assessment and Mitigation Manual
Restricted: Confidential Business Information
Attachment6CONFIDENTIALVOLUNA INC_Training Manual
Restricted: Confidential Business Information
Attachment7CONFIDENTIALVOLUNA INC_HYL-150 Maintenance Manual
Restricted: Confidential Business Information
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