26 March 2022
German U-space sandbox experience is used for the SAFIR-Med Project
Droniq, as a prototypical USSP within SAFIR-Med, ensures together with RWTH Aachen University and flyXdrive the local and electronic visibility of cross-border transport flights. Thereby increasing the overall safety of flight operations between Aachen, Maastricht and Heerlen (MAHHL region) within the MAHHL-Demonstrations. Droniq’s UTM system and an experimental version of the HOD4track specially adapted for cross-border flights are used for this purpose. In addition, Droniq's Ground Based Situational Awareness System (GBSAS) ensures permanent visibility.
For the task of acting as a prototypical USSP during the SAFIR-Med project Droniq especially builds upon its findings of the Hamburg U-space sandbox project it implemented together with DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung, the German air navigation service provider, in 2021. In February of this year, Droniq GmbH and DFS published their recommendations for the establishment of U-space areas, which was funded by the German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV).
These recommendations will also help spur the introduction of U-space areas in Germany from 2023: The Ministry is using the findings and recommendations from the practical tests in the Hamburg U-space sandbox to develop a concept for the establishment of U-space areas throughout Germany. The requirements of the European U-space Regulation (2021/664) are also being taken into account. The concept aims to lay all the legal and practical foundations for the implementation of U-space areas. The Ministry plans to designate the first U-space areas as early as 2023.
Droniq is looking forward to use its experience from this project for the next steps in SAFIR-Med.