ENAIRE simulates civil-military coordination of drones in Zaragoza airspace through the European U-ELCOME project

The U-ELCOME project, coordinated by EUROCONTROL, aims to promote the safe implementation of U-space services across Europe through various demonstrations. One such demonstration took place today in Zaragoza, focusing on civil-military coordination within the U-space framework.

A civil-military coordination affecting drone operations in U-space has been simulated with the aim of clearing drone airspace to allow the flight of a National Police helicopter

In collaboration with Umiles, Bluenest, the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, ITG, and ENAIRE, several drone flights were carried out today, both within visual line of sight (VLOS) and beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS), in a rural area of the municipality of San Mateo de Gállego. The main goal is a dynamic airspace reconfiguration (DAR) within U-space, triggered by ENAIRE from military facilities.

During the exercise, Bluenest will carry out a medical supply delivery flight, while Umiles will conduct a medical transport operation. As a National Police helicopter approaches, ENAIRE personnel will activate a real-time DAR in the presence of military personnel, requiring the drones to abort their missions and land safely.

ENAIRE, which leads the European U-ELCOME project in Spain, helps automate drone flight operations and today, in Zaragoza, served as the central information node through its U-hub platform.

This demonstration validates the safe integration of manned and unmanned aircraft, the interoperability between U-space service providers, and advanced airspace management in emergency situations. The project is funded by the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency in cooperation with the SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking.

[Rodrigo Benedit, from ENAIRE, participated in drone testing in Zaragoza as part of the U-ELCOME project - copy].

What is U-space?

As part of the European Digital Sky initiative, the European Union has developed the concept of U-space as a set of digital services and specific procedures designed to enable the safe, efficient and automated management of drones, especially in areas with high air traffic density or near airports.

In this context, ENAIRE has been designated the Sole Common Information Services Provider (CISP) in Spain. This role makes ENAIRE the bridge between traditional air navigation services and new digital drone operators. Through its U-space platform, ENAIRE facilitates the exchange of essential data, ensuring smooth and safe coordination of airspace in areas where U-space is applied.

“For the first time in Spain, a civil/military coordination in U-space has been simulated through a dynamic airspace reconfiguration, activated from the platform developed by ENAIRE to allow authorities to interact with U-space”, said Rodrigo Benedit Pascual, Drone Business Development Department technician at ENAIRE and technical coordinator of the U-ELCOME project in Spain.

[Drone used in the U-ELCOME project tests].

About the U-ELCOME Project

The U-ELCOME project (U-space European COMmon dEpLoyment) is a European initiative, technically managed by SESAR Joint Undertaking and funded by the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Agency, aimed at promoting the safe and efficient integration of drones into airspace through the deployment of U-space services. It is coordinated by EUROCONTROL and involves 51 partners across Europe, with U-space flight service demonstrations at 15 locations in Spain, Italy and France. In

Spain, activities are taking place in eight autonomous communities: Andalusia, Aragon, Canary Islands, Catalonia, Valencian Community, Galicia, Madrid and Navarre. The project seeks to encourage the adoption of basic U1 and U2 services, facilitating the safe integration of drones into European airspace.

This project has received funding from the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) under grant agreement No 101079171.

About ENAIRE

ENAIRE is the air navigation service provider in Spain.

As a company of the Ministry of Sustainable Transport and Mobility, it provides air traffic control services during the en route and approach phases of all flights to and from Spain and overflights. In addition, it manages communications, navigation and surveillance services from ENAIRE in the airspace and the entire AENA airport network in Spain and provides aerodrome air traffic control services in 21 airports, including the busiest.

ENAIRE is the fourth largest European air navigation service provider, and it is a member of international partnerships A6 Alliance, SESAR (Single European Sky ATM Research) Joint Undertaking, SESAR Deployment Manager, iTEC, CANSO (Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation) and collaborates closely with ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization).

ENAIRE has received the highest score in Europe on the aviation safety key performance indicator for four years in a row. It has also been awarded the EFQM 600 Seal for its safe, efficient, innovative and sustainable management of air navigation services.