These are some of the objectives of the agreement signed today in Rome, at the Head Quarter of Telespazio, between the CEO of the company, Luigi Pasquali, and the President of the Distretto Tecnologico Aerospaziale (DTA, Aerospace Technological Cluster) of Puglia, Giuseppe Acierno.
This new agreement broadens and renews the previous arrangement signed between Telespazio and the DTA a few years ago and focuses on drones and remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS), sectors in which the company and the cluster are working in to develop innovative solutions and services and to research new technologies.
Thanks to this new framework, Telespazio and the DTA will work together to develop solutions that encourage the integration of APRs in controlled airspace (ATM) and in the U-Space using satellite navigation or telecommunication services to also study applications with drones in order to observe the territory, the environment and mobility.
Special attention will also be given to the development of the Grottaglie Airport Test Bed - National research and experimentation infrastructure already recognized in MIUR's National Research Infrastructure Plan (PNIR 2014-2020) and which has already hosted numerous activities - and the Fucino Space Center - which just held a test flight with drones for the first time a few weeks ago, both through the development of new laboratories and through the direct connection between the two centers.
And finally, a fundamental element will be the activities to support the development of local businesses and start-ups, as for example technical mentorship and business analysis within the ESA Business Incubation Center (ESA BIC) Brindisi initiative.
“The agreement with the DTA confirms Telespazio’s focus on the Italian aerospace clusters, hotbeds of expertise and professionalism that are fundamental for the national economic system. And not only that, as the focus on themes such and innovation and sustainability related to aerospace technologies creates shared value for both the entire value chain of local SMEs - thanks to the exchange of know-how and common research projects - but also for the citizens, thanks to the creation of services and products that can have a solid impact on all our lives.”
Luigi Pasquali, Telespazio CEO.
"We are very pleased to boost and consolidate the collaboration with Telespazio aware of the contribution this will make to the development of the capabilities and level of competitiveness of the Apulian aerospace system, including through a greater enhancement of our infrastructure, a strengthening of collaborations with our SMEs, and a development and use of innovative services."
Giuseppe Acierno, President of the Distretto Tecnologico Aerospaziale (DTA).
Founded in 2009 to strengthen competitiveness in Puglia, the DTA is currently composed of 26 large companies, such as Leonardo, Universities and Research Centers, and many small and medium-sized enterprises.