News   •

24 March 2024

EU Funding for Unmanned Valley

The European Regional Development Fund will further contribute to the development of Unmanned Valley with a recently approved grant. Since 2019, the municipalities of Katwijk and Wassenaar, the Dutch Central Government Real Estate Agency, the province of South Holland, and TU Delft have been working together to revitalize the former naval airbase — and they’re succeeding! Unmanned Valley offers a dynamic ecosystem with advanced facilities, including test fields, office spaces, and specialized research equipment. Small and medium-sized enterprises, in particular, benefit from this innovative environment.

To effectively function as a hotspot for innovation, the Campus must continuously update its testing facilities. To achieve this, Unmanned Valley has developed the ‘Growing the Grid’ plan. Thanks to the ERDF grant, Unmanned Valley can implement five key projects:

  1. Expansion of Office and Workspace: An additional 1,400 m² of space will be added to accommodate up to 20 new SMEs, fostering innovation and business development. 
  2. Research into Hydrogen as Fuel for Drones: Unmanned Valley is exploring hydrogen as a sustainable fuel source, enabling longer flight times and heavier payloads for drones. This project includes establishing a hydrogen refueling station, positioning Unmanned Valley as a pioneer in green UAV technology. 
  3. Development of an Acoustic Measurement Setup: As drone usage grows, managing noise impact becomes crucial. This project will establish an acoustic testing facility to objectively measure UAV noise levels. 
  4. Infrastructure for a Drone Station Network: Unmanned Valley is developing a network where autonomous drones can refuel, recharge, and exchange data, enabling seamless and efficient UAV operations. 
  5. Activation, Acquisition, and Coordination of New Facilities: The team will ensure optimal use of the new facilities, attract new businesses, and coordinate activities to maintain a dynamic and productive environment. 

Unmanned Valley collaborates closely with leading educational institutions such as TU Delft and ROC van Amsterdam. These partnerships are vital for research and training the next generation of UAV professionals. By integrating academic research with practical testing and industry needs, Unmanned Valley creates a rich learning and innovation environment.

With continuous innovation and strong partnerships, Unmanned Valley remains a key player in the European UAV industry.

Unmanned Valley is co-financed by the European Union & Kansen voor West