. Military Space News .
UAV NEWS
Real life laboratory for research into and testing of unmanned aerial systems
by Staff Writers
Cochstedt, Germany (SPX) Apr 07, 2021

Unmanned aerial system concepts envisaged by DLR researchers.

The global air transport system is facing major challenges. The current generation of aircraft must be further improved and preparations made for the introduction of new products. However, this is not limited to alternative propulsion systems and fuels. It also includes new concepts such as unmanned flight. Unmanned air transport is undergoing rapid growth with the development of new technologies and operational scenarios, from which a new industry is emerging. On 31 March 2021, the official launch of the German Aerospace Center National Experimental Test Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems and a Europe-wide network for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) research and testing took place.

"The opening of the National Experimental Test Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems at our Cochstedt site heralds the launch of a facility that is unique in Europe. This is where DLR's capabilities and expertise in the field of Unmanned Aerial Systems are concentrated," explained Anke Kaysser-Pyzalla, Chair of the DLR Executive Board.

"Technology development, certification and work on new regulations determine the cooperation with our partners from industry and public authorities. Science and research thus form the basis for new air transport technologies. The German Federal Government and the state of Saxony-Anhalt have significantly supported and assisted with the establishment and development of this facility as a central location for national and international UAS research."

Future mobility solutions such as Urban Air Mobility pose numerous new challenges for scientific research, industry and government, and these require solutions. The main focus is on testing demonstrators, propulsion systems and energy storage technologies, the integration of UAS into civil airspace, certification and approval, and acceptance, particularly with regard to noise, safety and environmental impact.

Thomas Jarzombek, German Federal Government Coordinator of Aerospace Policy, emphasised: "The Cochstedt test centre is another building block towards strengthening Germany as a centre of innovation. Together with the DLR centre in Aachen-Merzbruck, expertise in unmanned flight will be further strengthened in the German research landscape. Numerous high-quality drone manufacturers are already based in Germany and the drone industry has become a major economic factor.

"New innovations in the field of air transport need space to be tried out. With the Cochstedt site, we have opened up such a space, which will hopefully provide fresh impetus in the field of air transport. I am therefore pleased that the Federal Government can make a significant contribution towards improving the infrastructure through DLR."

Reiner Haseloff, Minister President of Saxony-Anhalt, said at the opening: "All previous uses of the traditional airfield in Cochstedt have ultimately proven to be unsustainable. Now, with DLR's National Experimental Test Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems, a new project is underway and I am convinced it will enjoy long-term success. I am also certain that it will advance the region and significantly strengthen Saxony-Anhalt as a location for research and innovation."

Saxony-Anhalt's Minister of Economy, Science and Digitalisation, Armin Willingmann, stated: "For years, Cochstedt Regional Airport struggled to be a success, and was almost closed at times. I am very pleased that after negotiations that were as discreet as they were intensive - with the crucial involvement of the Ministry of Economic Affairs - it has been possible for the airport to be taken under the umbrella of the German Aerospace Center. This means that Cochstedt will not only become the centre of a future technology in Saxony-Anhalt, but the research airport will also evolve into a hub for companies from the air transport and logistics industries that want to develop or use unmanned aerial systems.

"The Saxony-Anhalt Ministry of Economy, Science and Digitalisation will be providing more than 15 million euro in institutional funding in the coming years so that the National Experimental Test Center in Cochstedt will continue to transform into a place of the future, where high-quality jobs will be created, and international research and development will have a special place. I am convinced that Cochstedt will be a beacon on the way to developing Saxony-Anhalt as the federal state of future technologies."

Broad partnerships
The activities are integrated into DLR-wide projects and collaborations with partners from research and industry in Germany, Europe and around the world. DLR already cooperates in the field of UAS research with major institutions such as the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

The test site in Saxony-Anhalt will be accessible for users ranging from start-ups through to established air transport industry companies for research and testing. It will also have an incubator and enabler function for start-ups and SMEs. For licensing reasons, it is necessary that new unmanned aircraft systems are tested and qualified under realistic conditions in a controlled environment.

Existing buildings and facilities are being renovated and converted. Subsequently, the research infrastructure will be developed and constructed. In order to become truly operational, the reopening of the commercial airport is planned on a smaller scale, probably from 1 August 2021.

A total of around 15 million euro is to be invested in the development of research as well as operational infrastructure by the end of 2022. Recruitment of scientific and technical staff will drive the development forward in the coming months. The objective is to have a total of around 60 employees working in research and operations at the site by the end of 2022.

Currently, the focus is on further upgrading the infrastructure for the users of the test centre. Test campaigns for the first projects are already taking place in Cochstedt. For example, there will be extensive final tests of the DLR City-ATM project in summer 2021.

It is expected that several drones will fly together with approximately 100 virtual drones in a complex traffic scenario at the Cochstedt site. In addition, various flight tests are planned with the DLR ALAADy Demonstrator and superARTIS research helicopter during the course of the year.


Related Links
National Experimental Test Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems
UAV News - Suppliers and Technology


Thanks for being here;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5 Billed Monthly


paypal only


UAV NEWS
AFRL Completes XQ-58A Valkyrie Flight and Payload Release Test
Wright-Patterson AFB OH (SPX) Apr 06, 2021
The Air Force Research Laboratory successfully completed the XQ-58A Valkyrie's sixth flight test and first release from its internal weapons bay, March 26, 2021 at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona. This test, conducted in partnership with Kratos UAS and Area-I, demonstrated the ability to launch an ALTIUS-600 small, unmanned aircraft system (SUAS) from the internal weapons bay of the XQ-58A. Kratos, Area-I and AFRL designed and fabricated the SUAS carriage and developed software to enable releas ... read more

Comment using your Disqus, Facebook, Google or Twitter login.



Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

UAV NEWS
Missile Warning Satellite Delivered to Cape Canaveral

Lockheed Martin awarded $3.7B to modernize key missile defense mission

Lockheed, Northrop to compete for Next Generation Interceptor program

Northrop Grumman Common Infrared Countermeasures System ready for full-rate production

UAV NEWS
US Air Force Likely About to Test-Fire ARRW Hypersonic Missile for First Time - Report

Lockheed Martin awarded $1B contract for Precision Fires All-Weather Rocket

USS Gabrielle Giffords launches Naval Strike Missile in operational test

Lockheed Martin wins $2.76B Army contract for guided missile rockets

UAV NEWS
Real life laboratory for research into and testing of unmanned aerial systems

Northrop Grumman's optionally-manned Firebird demonstrates operational flexibility

First universal UAV optimized for both payload and distance shows best-in-class results

York Space Systems Announces Successful Test of Autonomous Operations Upgrade

UAV NEWS
Japan-Germany international joint experiment on space optical communication

Parsons awarded $250M Seabed-to-Space ISR contract

Air Force exercises push data integration from across military domains

Airbus, Fujitsu and Thales in team up for UK army future tactical communication program

UAV NEWS
Marine Corps prepares maternity uniforms

Marines deploy with new JLTV following month-long training exercise

Marine Corps fires commander over July 2020 AAV accident that killed 9

Army tests oxygen generator with longer shelf life

UAV NEWS
China affirms strong Serbia ties on defence tour of east Europe

Northrop Grumman prepares IBCS for initial operational test and evaluation

Lockheed Martin well-positioned to capitalize on key technologies with Aerojet Rocketdyne acquisition

NATO chief says defence spending up despite pandemic

UAV NEWS
US warns China over Philippines, Taiwan moves; Holds bilateral exercises with Malaysia

Ukraine urges NATO to speed up membership in 'signal' to Moscow

Pentagon urges Russia to explain troop buildup near Ukraine

NATO chief says 'serious concern' over Russia's Ukraine activities

UAV NEWS
Scientists use DNA technology to build tough 3D nanomaterials

New "metalens" shifts focus without tilting or moving

Nanowire could provide a stable, easy-to-make superconducting transistor

New technique builds super-hard metals from nanoparticles









The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.