Pier Francesco Cardillo, Head of GI Commercial Development - RPAS and UTM at Telespazio, participated in the discussions, presenting the advanced solutions that the Leonardo Group company is developing in the drone sector.
In 2024, the professional (B2B and B2G) drone market in Italy reached 160 million euros, marking a 10% growth compared to 2023. The sector's positive trend is confirmed by initial projections for 2025, which indicate significant growth for this year as well, while 80% of industry professionals foresee substantial expansion over the next three years.
In this context, Telespazio is positioning itself not only as a reference in space mission management but also as a drone operator certified by ENAC. The company stands out for using drones in various strategic fields, from delivering medicines to remote areas to Earth observation.
Telespazio has built its drone sector strategy on four fundamental pillars. As a drone operator for complex missions, Telespazio has obtained ENAC authorization for BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) operations, thus expanding drone-based infrastructure monitoring and delivery services, with a significant impact on medical logistics and environmental protection. The proprietary platform T-DROMES® has enabled end-to-end drone service management, from flight planning to execution, with a cloud-based control center. The innovative Box TPZ Air 100 device allows BVLOS drone flights through reliable and secure drone command and control via both satellite and terrestrial communication channels. Finally, the Fucino Space Center, the world's largest satellite teleport for civilian use, has integrated advanced space technologies with control systems for drone operations.
Telespazio plays a key role in the U-ELCOME (U-space European Common dEpLoyment) project, a SESAR Digital Sky Demonstrator initiative funded with 14 million euros from the CEF (Connecting Europe Facility) program. The goal is to support the implementation of U-space services and facilitate the market adoption of U1 and U2 services in Europe. The ongoing project involves 51 partners from Italy, Spain, and France, coordinated by the Eurocontrol Innovation Hub.
As part of this project, Telespazio is conducting various experiments in Italy. In Varese, in collaboration with Milan Malpensa Airport and the Circolo Hospital, the company is testing a medical delivery service using electric VTOL drones, optimizing transport times and reducing CO2 emissions. In Abruzzo, within the Sirente Velino Regional Natural Park, the experiment involves a 35 km BVLOS route, connecting the hospitals of L'Aquila and Avezzano with proximity hubs in mountain communities, demonstrating the value of drones for remote areas.
Telespazio had already demonstrated the potential of drones with the pioneering mission in 2021 in Santa Marinella, near Rome. This experimental flight marked the first transport of medical supplies via drone in Italy, laying the groundwork for today's more ambitious initiatives.
The Italian drone market is expected to grow to 1.44 billion euros by 2030, and Telespazio is at the forefront of leading this transformation. The company has contributed to defining regulatory processes and creating new opportunities for drone use in strategic contexts. By combining space expertise with technological innovations, Telespazio is building a more connected and accessible future for everyone.