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WholeShip Ltd’s National Drone Hub has become the UK’s first Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) accredited Test & Evaluation site for drones, a milestone that will significantly reduce approval times for manufacturers seeking to begin testing their air systems.
The National Drone Hub provides facilities, expertise and access to over 8000km² of segregated airspace to support the rapid development of drones and associated technologies, making it one of the largest drone testing sites in Europe.
The facilities have been built by a Cornish SME WholeShip Ltd and is operated in partnership with the Royal Navy. Situated on a 320-hectare MoD airfield with an ultra-low population density, the National Drone Hub is seen as the UK’s leading location for next generation autonomous systems for civil and military use.
The CAA accreditation offers manufacturers and operators a streamlined pathway to test and validate their technologies in a controlled environment. Reduced approval times will enable faster progression from concept to commercial deployment, positioning the UK as a global leader in autonomous aviation.
The WholeShip team recently welcomed the Rt Hon Lord David Willetts and the Rt Hon Lord Hutton to the Hub in a visit that highlighted how the facility brings together industry, government and academia to drive innovation in autonomous aviation.
Lord Willetts said, “WholeShip’s National Drone Hub brings together Industry, Government, Academia and Regulators, providing a unique opportunity to inform regulatory change that keeps pace with technology and accelerates the adoption of autonomy in the UK.”
The Rt Hon Lord John Hutton, Chair of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Economic Forum, said, “WholeShip’s National Drone Hub is a powerful example of how the UK can lead in emerging technologies through bold collaboration and forward-thinking regulation. By bringing together industry, academia, government and the regulator in one place, the Hub is accelerating real-world innovation while upholding the highest standards of safety and compliance.”
Sophie O’Sullivan, Director of Future Safety & Innovation at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, added, “We’re working with industry to make drone operations beyond visual line of sight a safe and everyday reality. A key pillar in the modernisation of UK airspace and enabling new technology to take flight.
“WholeShip’s National Drone Hub has become the first pre-assessed test site in the UK, an important milestone. Part of our effort to enable safer, more efficient testing of drones. By choosing to test their drone in a pre-assessed site, operators benefit from a simpler, expedited approvals process. This will accelerate innovation while maintaining our world leading standards of safety.”
The CAA accreditation reinforces the National Drone Hub’s position as the cornerstone of the UK’s autonomous aviation ecosystem, providing the critical infrastructure and expertise needed to advance the safe integration of drone technology into UK airspace.
