News   •

25 July 2024

EU Funding for Unmanned Valley

Since 2019, the municipalities of Katwijk and Wassenaar, the Central Government Real Estate Agency, the province of South Holland, and TU Delft have been working together to revitalize the former Naval Airbase ‘Valkenburg’. This effort has been quite successful, as 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 test facilities. To achieve this, Unmanned Valley has developed the ‘Growing the Grid’ plan. Thanks to the EFRO subsidy, Unmanned Valley can carry out five major projects:
  1. Expansion of office and industrial space: 1400 m² of new space is being added to accommodate up to 20 new SMEs, stimulating innovation and business development.
  2. Research on hydrogen as a 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, making Unmanned Valley a pioneer in green UAV technology.
  3. Development of an acoustic measurement setup: With the growing use of drones, managing noise impact is essential. This project sets up an acoustic testing facility to objectively measure the noise of UAVs.
  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 ensures that the new facilities are optimally utilized, attracting new companies and coordinating activities to maintain a dynamic and productive environment.

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