A new unmanned air system (UAS) testing centre with its own reserved airspace for remotely-piloted technology, the first of its kind in Spain, is expected to be operating by the end of this year.
Ground work has started on the ATLAS (Air Traffic Laboratory for Advanced unmanned Systems) complex in Villacarrillo in Jaen, which will link in with nearby aerospace clusters in Cadiz and Seville.
The body behind the project, the Andalucia regional government’s Centro Avanzado de Technologias Aeroespaciales (CATEC), said on 7 June that it will position the region in the frontline of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) technology.
“ATLAS will offer the international aeronautical community the first permanent scientific and technological installation for carrying out safely trials, simulations and validations of UAV applicable technologies and air traffic management,” said CATEC.
“As well as fomenting new avant garde technology it will contribute to making Andalucian and national companies in the aeronautical sector more competitive.
“Putting it into operation will also provide important support for investigation into unmanned flights in the civil arena and to the work that has been going on in recent years in various institutions and technological centres linked with the aeronautical sector in Andalucia,” the company added.
Source: Jane’s