Hatten-UAS capability overview

The test center for unmanned aerial systems at Oldenburg-Hatten airfield

1.1 b.r.m. IT & Aerospace GmbH: Central point of contact for projects. b.r.m. is the central point of contact for all flight projects involving unmanned systems. In combination with the technical and operational management of UAS trials, the "UAS Control Center Bremen USSP" and extensive BVLOS practice, unmanned systems can be integrated into the airspace at various stages of their development over a flight area of 3,600 km².

1.2 Oldenburg-Hatten airfield (EDWH) The Oldenburg-Hatten airfield (ICAO: EDWH) comprises 16 hectares of operating area, a tower, training facilities and 5,500 m² of hangar space. Thanks to extensive expansion of the permit, unmanned and manned air traffic can be coordinated here in parallel. Furthermore: provision and coordination of the airfield infrastructure (operating times, area allocation, tower agreements), clearances for segregated areas and safety coordination on the ground.

A basic distinction is made between 3 operating modes for unmanned systems. VLOS missions are used for training, type approval and basic testing. EVLOS extends the operational range via structured observer concepts. BVLOS operations are operated on a project-related basis in accordance with SORA¹ and in close coordination with authorities and space and offer the opportunity to carry out long-range tests.

Safe operation that can be approved by the competent authority requires a comprehensive air and ground risk analysis, which is carried out using the European SORA¹ procedure. This forms the basis for an associated ConOps² that defines the operational and safety processes.

Part of airspace safety is the digital visualization of aviation participants. Thanks to its own sensor network, b.r.m.'s "UAS Control Center Bremen USSP" is able to detect manned and unmanned traffic in the lower airspace and thus provide an air situation picture. This risk reduction leads to safe "mixed" operations. This is a core capability of a USSP³, which will enable and enhance the scalable operation of unmanned systems in European U-Spaces⁴ in the future.

Thanks to 3 decades of IT experience with its own data center operation, b.r.m. has a wide range of basic skills to map the digital processes of modern aviation itself. The "UAS Control Center Bremen USSP" is operated in b.r.m.'s own green IT data center.

b.r.m. IT & Aerospace GmbH has many years of experience in supporting itself and other organizations in obtaining the necessary operating permits from the aviation authorities, especially for UAS whose operation has not yet been possible.

¹ Specific Operation Risk Assessment
² Concept of Operations - Operations Manual
U-Space Service Provider - Service provider for air situation and control of unmanned systems in civil space
⁴ U-Space - Airspace element specifically for unmanned systems

Hatten-UAS GFC offers the following summarized capabilities for UAS testing, training and demonstration:

• Regulatory: In order to operate legally in civil airspace, an operating license for a UAS is required. We can include a UAS in our licensing framework as well as provide comprehensive support to an organization in obtaining these rights.
• Flight operations: VLOS, EVLOS, BVLOS. All 3 types of operation are possible from Oldenburg-Hatten airfield. With an area of 3,600 km², the largest closed operating volume for UAS in the EU is available.
• Testing: From ground testing to testing the actual operation, we have accompanied various UAS manufacturers up to 120 kg MTOM and can extend this framework parameter.
• Demonstration and evaluation: At Oldenburg-Hatten airfield, we can map the entire chain of construction, maintenance, servicing, operation, training and logistics in real life without outsourcing parts of it to other locations.
• Certification: We advise and support manufacturers of UAS for civil market entry with the necessary certifications (e.g. CE)
• External training: We have the infrastructure to provide type instruction and remote pilot training directly on the UAS.
• Pilot training: From EU Certificate of Competence A1/A3, EU Remote Pilot Certificate A2 to PPL, we have the ability to offer comprehensive training courses on site with several flight schools.

It is also possible to add the following aspects to the skills package:

• GNSS-denied: The simulation of a GNSS-denied environment can be generated using GPS jamming signals and spoofing. These technologies make it possible to systematically test and verify the reliability and accuracy of navigation systems that are to be operated independently of GNSS. As a controlled test environment, the Oldenburg-Hatten airfield can provide the necessary technical and organizational conditions to safely and effectively reproduce such interference scenarios. Supported by an air situation picture and the exclusive use of the test site, the tests are carried out in a protected environment.
• UAS dark field: Today, digitally visible UAS can be made visible using standard transponder technologies (ADS-B, FLARM, etc.). Their identification and position are thus known and air traffic management is possible. However, there is a dark field of non-visible, non-cooperative UAS whose intention, identification and position are unknown. With an extension of our sensor technology, it will be possible in future to detect all UAS in the airspace and compare them with the existing bright field. This enables the identification of non-cooperative UAS and the creation of a uniform UAS situation picture. This enables, for example, the prompt and targeted initiation of countermeasures. In future, the position, flight vector and type will be visible and manageable for the protection of critical infrastructure.

Both capability enhancements can be implemented if required.

In addition to the core capabilities described above for operating UAS, we can provide comprehensive support for a testing or training campaign:

• Training rooms for up to 25 participants with modern IT equipment
• Modern campus network for internet connection on the premises
• Hangar capacities for maintenance, servicing and training tasks
• Building land to expand the usable areas and hangars
• Catering can be provided for short assignments or long campaigns.
• A large number of hotels are available close to the airport.
• Seclusion and embedded in agricultural land.
• There are two highway connections (A28, A29).