U-ELCOME challenge drone demonstrations – DRONELIFE

Current trials in Valencia and Seville showcase how U-space providers improve emergency response, logistics, and infrastructure monitoring in complicated port environments.

by DRONELIFE Employees Author Ian J. McNabb

As Europe continues its challenge of unifying its airspace to incorporate drone operations, the U-ELCOME challenge continues to make important strides in aiding these efforts through large-scale UAV validation exams. Not too long ago, the ports of Valencia and Seville in Spain have hosted key demonstrations showcasing the potential of U-space providers to boost logistics, emergency response, and operational effectivity in complicated port environments.

On January 23, 2025, the Port of Valencia hosted a groundbreaking U-House validation train with drones in an emergency drill. The occasion, organized by the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) in collaboration with the Valencia Port Authority, featured participation from Customs Surveillance, the Native Police of Valencia, the Valencia Fireplace Division, and trade gamers resembling UAV Works and PrimeCor Techniques. Notable attendees included Esther Gómez, Secretary for Universities of the Valencian Group, and Enrique Belda, Director of the Valencia Port Authority, alongside representatives from ENAIRE, Fundación Valenciaport, and corporations like APM Terminals and Valencia Terminal Europa. 

The Valencia demonstration highlighted the flexibility of U-space providers to coordinate a number of drone operations concurrently, together with anchorage zone surveillance, topographical assessments, emergency logistics, and public security assist. Operations have been managed by way of the U-space ecosystem, involving U-space service suppliers (USSPs) ENAIRE, DALIAH (related to the Instituto Tecnológico de Galicia), and DronAS (DroneLab of the Autonomous College of Barcelona), alongside the nationwide Widespread Data Service Supplier (CISP) managed by ENAIRE. This setup simulated a real-time emergency response situation, centralizing operations in an Superior Command Publish (PMA) to reveal the effectiveness of coordinated drone administration.

Following profitable drills in Valencia, the Port of Seville hosted one other milestone demonstration on February 8, 2025, specializing in drone functions for logistics and infrastructure monitoring. This occasion, organized by ENAIRE, the Seville Port Authority, and the AIRUS consortium, examined how U-space providers can assist protected, environment friendly, and scalable drone operations in port environments.

The Seville trials featured a sequence of drone flights simulating logistical assist, perimeter surveillance, and infrastructure monitoring throughout the port’s amenities. The exams additionally efficiently demonstrated past visible line of sight (BVLOS) operations, important for increasing drone functions in industrial and logistics settings. The Seville Port Authority, lengthy an lively supporter of drone integration, showcased how these applied sciences can enhance port administration and optimize each day operations.

The demonstrations have been designed to underline U-ELCOME challenge’s dedication to creating a single, scalable framework for drone operations throughout Europe. By integrating U-space providers in real-world port environments, these trials contribute to enhancing security, effectivity, and sustainability in city and industrial airspace. Trying forward, the U-ELCOME challenge will proceed its sequence of validation workout routines, with the subsequent main Open Day scheduled for February 27 in Benidorm, the place new capabilities of U-space service suppliers and high-performance drone fashions shall be examined in city environments.

The U-ELCOME is a 3-year SESAR Digital Sky Demonstrator challenge, involving 51 companions whose total goal is to assist the market uptake of U1 and U2 providers. With demonstrations happening throughout three European nations, the challenge goals to develop interoperability and assist EU unification of U-space providers. U-ELCOME has a finances of 14 million euros financed with CEF (Connecting Europe Facility) funds and is financed to proceed its mission by way of October of 2025. Extra info on the challenge is accessible right here. 

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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, an expert drone providers market, and a fascinated observer of the rising drone trade and the regulatory surroundings for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles centered on the industrial drone house and is a global speaker and acknowledged determine within the trade.  Miriam has a level from the College of Chicago and over 20 years of expertise in excessive tech gross sales and advertising for brand new applied sciences.
For drone trade consulting or writing, E mail Miriam.

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