German Armed Forces drone flies through European upper airspace for the first time
February 6, 2025 | International research project with German Heron TP
German Armed Forces drone flies through European upper airspace for the first time
A German Heron TP drone has now been flown in upper airspace
A German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) drone has flown along the German coast into the Netherlands and back again as part of the 'Accommodation and Validation of Medium Altitude Long Endurance Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems' (MALE RPAS) project. The goal of the project is to enable drones like this to be guided through upper and lower airspace when necessary, considering both military and civil applications.
Credit:
Bundeswehr / Lars Pötzsch
The goal of the project is to enable uncrewed aerial vehicles to be guided safely through airspace when required.
The flight route followed along the German coastline transiting into Dutch airspace and back.
Focus: Aviation, security, defence, defence research
A German Heron TP drone of the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) has flown from Schleswig in Germany to Leeuwarden in the Netherlands and back again. The flight was the first in Europe to take place in upper airspace. It was conducted as part of a research project by the European Defence Agency (EDA), which aims to help enable remotely-piloted, uncrewed aircraft to be guided through shared airspace when required. Alongside the Institute of Flight Guidance at the German Aerospace Center (Deutsche Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR), which is the primary contractor, participants included the Netherlands Aerospace Centre (Royal NLR) and the German Armed Forces.
The German Heron TP is a large uncrewed vehicle belonging to the German Air Force. It has a wingspan of 26 metres and can fly for more than 24 hours. The drone took off from Schleswig and made its initial ascent within military airspace. It was then handed over to German civil lower airspace control, Deutsche Flugsicherung (DFS), and EUROCONTROL Maastricht Upper Area Control Center (MUAC). Upper airspace, where commercial aircraft fly, begins at an altitude of 7500 metres. During the flight, the drone climbed up to 8500 metres in MUAC airspace. The route followed the German coastline and into Dutch airspace, reaching Leeuwarden before returning to Schleswig.
Considerations for integrating into civil airspace
As part of the 'Accommodation and Validation of Medium Altitude Long Endurance Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems' (MALE RPAS) project, researchers are also investigating how the integration of uncrewed flights into civil airspace effects overall air traffic. Up until now, empirical data on this has been scarce. It is possible, for example, that changes to air traffic control could be necessary or that drones will require additional capabilities. Project participants have agreed on procedures to minimise the disruption to normal air traffic. One challenge is the difference in speeds between aircraft, as the German Heron TP is slower than other aircraft at this altitude.
Preparing for a safe flight
Before the flight, the project team looked at the differences between crewed and uncrewed aviation, conducted risk analyses and evaluated the capabilities of the drone. On this basis, the air traffic control centres were able to assess the feasibility of a safe flight in civil airspace. Former study flights by the EDA were limited to the lower airspace only.
Although the German Heron TP is a military aircraft, the project also considers future civil applications. The results of the project will provide a framework for comparable projects in Europe, highlighting the advantages and challenges of adapting and integrating uncrewed platforms and identifying ways to close any safety gaps.
Security is a fundamental human need. It is also one of the most pressing challenges for an interconnected, globalised society and economy today and in the future. DLR's security and defence technology research brings together research and development in the fields of aeronautics, space, energy and transport, planning and managing these activities in conjunction with public stakeholders and partners from government, research and industry.
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Andreas Schütz
Head of Corporate Communications, DLR Spokesperson
