The SESAR Joint Undertaking (SESAR JU) has launched a call for proposals for studies, including demonstrations, on drone traffic management in Europe. The call is a further step towards the European Commission’s U-space vision for ensuring safe and secure access to airspace for drones.

U-space is an enabling framework designed to facilitate any kind of routine mission, in all classes of airspace and all types of environment - even the most congested – while addressing an appropriate interface with manned aviation and air traffic control. When fully deployed, a wide range of drone missions that are currently being restricted will be possible thanks to a sustainable and robust European ecosystem that is globally interoperable.

The main objective of the call is “to comprehensively prepare and de-risk a rapid deployment of U-space initial services (U2) as outlined in the U-space Blueprint. U2 provides the initial set of key services building on the foundation services (U1) by adding game-changing improvements enabling initial beyond visual line-of-sight operations (BVLOS) in rural, urban and sub-urban environments and facilitating the processes for authorisations for some drone operations”. Projects establishing a connection with the EU Smart Cities initiative are particularly encouraged.

With a call budget of EUR 9,500,000 within the framework of the European Commission’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), the SESAR JU intends to co-finance between 5 and 10 demonstration sites across different EU Member States.

The deadline for the submission of applications is 15 May 2018.

For more information about the call, visit the SESAR Procurement page

More reading:

U-space Info day (2 February) proceedings

European Commission U-space initiative

SESAR JU’s support for U-space

Helsinki Declaration on Drones