b.r.m. IT & Aerospace has developed a concrete proposal for one of the first U-Spaces in northern Germany. The U-Space concept was presented to the Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV) in mid-January. The German U-Space Act is expected to be enacted in the course of 2026.
The first U-Space along the Weser River—from Bremen through Bremerhaven to Heligoland
Why build a U-Space on the Weser?
According to EU Implementing Regulation 2021/664, a U-Space may be established, among other things, when the protection of critical infrastructure requires regulated and identified drone operations. This proposal is based precisely on that: along the Weser River and in the German Bight, port facilities, maritime shipping routes, logistics infrastructure, and industrial facilities are concentrated in a small area. In consultation with the Bremen Aviation Authority and the Saxony Aviation Authority, it has been confirmed that this need for protection justifies the establishment of a U-Space—even though current drone traffic volumes are still low.
A U-Space enables the reliable identification of all drones in the area and distinguishes between legal and illegal operations. Drone operators must register and log in within the designated U-Space—unknown drones are immediately identified as potential threats.
The Corridor
The U-Space is defined as a contiguous area that extends from south to north along the Weser River into the German Bight:
- Bremen Airport as a starting point in the south
- Port facilities in Bremen City and Bremen North
- The Lower Weser River, with the port towns of Elsfleth, Brake, and Nordenham
- Overseas Port, Container Terminals, and City Harbor of Bremerhaven
- Shipping route from the mouth of the Weser toward Heligoland
From a real-world test bed to routine operation
The project builds on the existing U-Space real-world laboratory but takes a decisive step further: from a regulatory test framework to an operational U-Space in regular service in accordance with EU Regulation 2021/664. b.r.m. IT & Aerospace already has active sensor systems in place throughout the planned U-Space area and possesses the technical capabilities to operate as a future certified U-Space Service Provider (USSP).
Participants
As an initial concept for a U-Space in Northern Germany and the German Bight, b.r.m. IT & Aerospace presented the proposal to the Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV), the Bremen Aviation Authority, and the Saxony Aviation Authority. b.r.m. is the project sponsor and future USSP.
Project phases
Phase 1 – Trial Operation: Testing and Refining the Sensor Infrastructure and Operational Procedures
Phase 2 – Regular Operation: Full operation as a future certified USSP following the enactment of the U-Space Act
Phase 3 – Expansion: Gradual expansion of the U-Space area (Timeframe: 12–18 months)
Urban Air Mobility Outlook
The Bremen-Helgoland U-Space corridor also offers ideal conditions for establishing a manned VTOL route for air taxis. U-Space provides the regulatory and technical infrastructure into which manned VTOL operations fit seamlessly. Drone and air taxi traffic share the same monitored airspace—with clear prioritization and separation managed by the USSP.
Possible Vertiport locations along the corridor include Bremen Airport, Bremen Mitte (Weser), Bremen Harbor, the Waterfront, Bremen-Nord, Lemwerder, Elsfleth, Brake, Nordenham, Bremerhaven Harbor, and Heligoland as the terminus in the German Bight.
The combination of U-Space infrastructure and a VTOL corridor makes this project a flagship initiative for urban and regional air mobility in northern Germany. b.r.m. IT & Aerospace is positioning itself as a USSP and thus as a key enabler of future air mobility in the region.