Drones have passed the stage of fun, flying cameras. Today's drone taxis and transport drones are serious tools for countless applications in many sectors. Using drones for medical transports, an extra pair of eyes at a fire, site security, building inspections and eventually transporting cargo and people by air can give drones their added value to society. The aim of the demonstration flights over Enschede is to demonstrate the social impact of this technology. In Amsterdam, the focus is on public acceptance and in Rotterdam on the economic (added) value of drone applications.

Air traffic control system for drones

A key to success in realising a drone network is U-space, an air traffic control system for the safe integration of drones into airspace. Like air traffic control for regular air traffic, the agreements and protocols within U-space ensure that drone flights are conducted safely and efficiently. U-space is highly automated. And, compared to regular air traffic control, requires less human interaction and capacity to handle flights simultaneously.

Research on social impact drones

During the drone demonstration in Enschede, Space53 is testing scenarios at and around Twente Airport (part of business campus Technology Base). These scenarios show how different air users can safely use airspace and what drone applications are possible. First, a transport drone flies from a fictitious hospital - in a meadow on the outskirts of the city of Enschede - with medical supplies on board to Twente Airport. The medicines are delivered by the drone to the trauma helicopter on site. It then simulates a patient transport from Event location Vliegbasis Twente to the fictitious hospital. At the same time, another drone inspects a building next to the hospital and the trauma helicopter takes off from Twente Airport with the medicines it has just delivered. Here, it is important that flights are given priority based on priority and protocols. This is laid down in the air traffic control system. Thus, in this case, the inspection drone and the trauma helicopter will have to precede the patient transport. The last scenario simulates the transport of a fire extinguisher from a location near Twente fire station Glanerbrug to Twente Airport. 

Martijn Mennen, programme manager Space53: ‘We are proud to represent Enschede as the drone capital of Europe and our innovative partners in the AMU-LED consortium. By doing so, we contribute to the safe integration of valuable drone applications such as support for emergency workers and (urgent) transport. Important development areas within our ecosystem. Currently, it is difficult to bring drone innovations to market and use them in daily practice. The regulations here are still very much evolving and also vary from country to country. With our tests, we are contributing to the elaboration of U-space, a groundbreaking innovation when it comes to joint agreements, protocols and standards enabling unmanned aviation across Europe.’

Jan Schuring, director Technology Base and Twente Airport: ‘Thanks to its well-maintained and long runway, large open space, existing infrastructure, relatively quiet airspace and strategic location, Twente Airport is the ideal airport for the safe testing, validation, certification and demonstration of new forms of mobility such as Urban Air Mobility.’

Multiple European test flights

The Dutch demonstrations are led by the Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR). Other European test flights are also planned. The test flights started in late June in Cranfield (UK), the aim here was to demonstrate the readiness of AMU-LED's solution, technologies and systems. A second demonstration in Cranfield is scheduled for September. The final demonstrations of AMU-LED will happen in Santiago de Compostela in Spain combining all the previous aspects. These are scheduled flights for September and October.