A new partnership will see the creation of a national UAV centre that will provide operators with the advice and clearances required to fly unmanned air vehicle (UAV) systems from West Wales Airport near Aberporth in Wales. The centre will operate in the form of a working partnership between West Wales Airport and QinetiQ.
Located on ParcAberporth, the recently launched technology park, the West Wales UAV Centre will provide the necessary advice and guidance on all matters relating to deployment of UAVs. The ultimate goal of the centre is to facilitate routine UAV operations beyond the line of sight and outside segregated airspace.
The centre will serve the needs of both UK and international civilian and military UAV operators. It will also enable UAV flying for all tenants of ParcAberporth, which is attracting UAV system developers, by the provision of focused facilities.
The West Wales UAV Centre will not only facilitate flying for approved operators but will work with operators and systems currently lacking the appropriate approvals to ensure all relevant technical criteria are met to enable the safe deployment of UAVs. This will include the development of safety cases, system design advice and flying supervision.
Ray Mann, Managing Director of West Wales Airport, said: “The establishment of the West Wales UAV Centre, alongside the launch of ParcAberporth, represents another important cornerstone in the creation of a specialised environment for UAV technology development. In addition, it will give UK industry a unique opportunity to establish itself at the leading edge of this burgeoning sector of aerospace.”
Andrew Chadwick, QinetiQ's Business Development Manager for UAV Services, said: “The centre provides a focal point for the development of UAV systems and UAV operations in the UK and will draw on QinetiQ’s extensive experience of safe UAV operations in the region. The centre will further develop its services to meet the future needs of this important market.”
Andrew Davies, Minister for Enterprise, Innovation and Networks for the Welsh Assembly Government, welcomed the announcement of the West Wales UAV Centre and said it would play a significant role in the future success of ParcAberporth as a UK centre of excellence for the development and testing of UAV systems.
He said: “While the use of unmanned systems for defence is expanding rapidly worldwide, the civil market has not yet been fully exploited. The centre will further enable ParcAberporth to act as a catalyst in encouraging new uses for this technology including the civil market which has huge growth potential.
“A recent study revealed that the civil and commercial UAV market in Europe alone is estimated to be worth about €1.2 billion within the next ten years. ParcAberporth will play a prominent role in positioning Wales as a key UK resource, enabling companies to take full advantage of this substantial growth potential.”
The centre is planning to announce additional services for the UAV industry during the coming year.
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