Electronics Weekly
The new upgrades for the site include sensor test ranges for flexible drone testing, support for testing of tethered drone systems and expanded workshop spaces.
There will also be a drone cage flight enclosure. This will be for controlled flight testing in a contained environment. Finally, the update will involve the creation of a Training Academy for drone pilot instructors.
Looking further ahead, future plans for the DTDC also include the development of Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) capabilities.
Facility
“Drones and automated vehicles are going to be a major source of future growth for the UK,” said Richard Lowe, Chief Technology Officer, Satellite Applications Catapult. “These facility upgrades provide even more support for drone innovation at Westcott. We’re creating extra capacity to host more companies, and new facilities to help them develop their technology.”
“The addition of a drone cage and sensor test range in particular, mean that companies with new and uncertified technologies can now test both their hardware and software in a safe and controlled environment.”
Westcott DTDC
The centre – located at a former RAF base – was launched in 2023 by the Satellite Applications Catapult. It aims to be a world-class drone services hub from its base in the Westcott Space Cluster in Buckinghamshire. It highlights that it is focused on developing drone technologies across both the public and private sector.
The site has a 270m runway, four dedicated landing pads for vertical take-off, and multiple flying areas offering real-world environments. There are also three large workshops for technical development
Image: Westcott DTDC
See also: The National Space Propulsion Test Facility is rocket testing
