Westcott drone centre flying high with new upgrades
A drone test and development centre (DTDC), launched in 2023 at Westcott Venture Park in Buckinghamshire, is undergoing a major upgrade to increase its capacity and capabilities.
Drone companies will now be able to test their products and solutions at a much earlier stage in the development process in a safe and controlled environment.
Overseen by the Satellite Applications Catapult, the DTDC received £1.4 million in funding from Buckinghamshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) to fund the upgrades.
They include a flight enclosure for controlled testing, a tether, a multipurpose drone platform for testing sensors, expanded workshop spaces, sensor test ranges and a new training academy for drone pilot instructors.
Martin Tett, leader of Buckinghamshire Council and chair of Buckinghamshire’s growth board, said: “It’s great to see further innovation within the Westcott Space Cluster driven by the DTDC.
“We’re proud to have provided funds to help establish this pioneering new facility and see the potential this offers to further develop the Buckinghamshire Enterprise Zone.
“We hope the centre will continue to help shape and transform private and commercial aviation over the next decade and will further establish the county as a global centre of excellence in drone and space technology.”
Richard Lowe, chief technology officer for the Satellite Applications Catapult, added: “Drones and automated vehicles are going to be a major source of future growth for the UK.
“These facility upgrades provide even more support for drone innovation at Westcott.
“We’re creating extra capacity to host more companies and new facilities to help them develop their technology.
“The addition of a drone cage and sensor test range in particular mean that companies with new and uncertified technologies can now test both their hardware and software in a safe and controlled environment.”
The DTDC site is a former RAF base and has a 270m runway, four dedicated landing pads for vertical or vertical to horizontal take-off, and multiple flying areas offering real-world environments.
Future plans for the site include development of beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) capabilities.
