Cornwall is continuing to lead as a critical player in the development of the UK’s aerospace and technology sectors. At the heart of this transformation is the National Drone Hub, a state-of-the-art facility located at Predannack Airfield, operated by Wholeship in partnership with the Royal Navy.
Since its doors first opened in December 2022 for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) testing, the National Drone Hub has grown into the UK’s leading independent Test and Evaluation site for drones and associated technologies.
The Hub offers something truly exceptional in the UK: a world-class, independent facility for the testing and evaluation of drones, with advanced infrastructure, with access to a 320-hectare airfield inside 5,500km2 of segregated airspace. This makes it an unparalleled environment for industry, academia, government, and regulators to collaborate, innovate, and accelerate drone technologies. Both SMEs and industry primes are using the National Drone Hub to develop, test, and certify cutting-edge tech.
Gail Eastaugh, Head of Strategic Partnerships at Cornwall Space Cluster, comments on the facility, “Having the National Drone Hub as part of the Cornwall Space Cluster enables Cornwall’s businesses to meet new collaborators, customers, and investors and promote our capabilities to national and international audiences. The Hub enables businesses to access airspace, allowing them to fail fast, iterate, and have confidence in seeking regulatory approval, ensuring successful certification of their systems.”
Key assets of the National Drone Hub include:
Together, these features position the National Drone Hub as the go-to site for independent Test and Evaluation of drones, with a particular emphasis on BVLOS operations and ship-air integration.
Steve Jermy, CEO of Celtic Sea Power adds, “The unique ability of the National Drone Hub to enable access to test areas both onshore and offshore in a regulated environment is a key feature of great benefit for the offshore energy sector. Access to the Ship Air Digital Integration Equipment to simulate drones in sea trials is particularly exciting for applications in the growing pipeline of floating offshore wind projects in the Celtic Sea.”
The National Drone Hub is more than just a testing facility—it is a cornerstone of Cornwall’s growing reputation as a hub for aerospace and technology innovation. By attracting top-tier aerospace companies, the National Drone Hub is driving economic growth and fostering collaboration across industries, academia, and government.
Cllr Louis Gardner, Portfolio Holder for the Economy, Cornwall Council comments on the scale of the opportunity that the Hub brings to the region, “The UK drone industry is forecast to be worth £45bn, supporting over 600,000 jobs and reducing carbon emissions by 2.4M tons by 2030. The National Drone Hub’s rapid capability development accelerates R&D and facilitates knowledge exchange, reinforcing Cornwall’s position as a destination for aerospace and space innovation.”
Cornwall’s unique geographical and infrastructural advantages make it the perfect location for the National Drone Hub. Its proximity to the sea, combined with the segregated airspace, creates an ideal setting for testing marine and aerial drone technologies. Moreover, the region’s commitment to environmental sustainability aligns with the broader objectives of the UK’s National Space Strategy, making Cornwall a key player in the national and international aerospace sectors.
Dan Stembridge, founder of Wholeship and CEO of the National Drone Hub, reflects on the motivation and vision behind the Hub: “As an experienced fighter pilot, I’ve witnessed firsthand how drones will increasingly augment and, in some cases, replace crewed aircraft in both the military and civil sectors. Recognising that future regulations would require flight testing of drones to be conducted in segregated airspace, we invested £3.2 million in supporting infrastructure and expertise to create the National Drone Hub.
“Situated at Predannack Airfield, the Hub benefits from access to 5,500 square kilometres of airspace from surface to 55,000 feet, one of the largest drone testing areas in Europe. This unique facility has allowed us to pioneer advancements in Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) testing and ship-air integration through technologies like the Ship-Air Digital Integration Equipment (SADIE), which simulates shipborne drone operations. Our goal is to foster collaboration between industry, government, and academia, driving innovation and growth in the drone sector.”
Julie Taylor from the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult focuses on the sustainable capabilities of the facility, “With drone technology continuing to play an increasingly important role in the development of offshore wind, our collaboration with the National Drone Hub is vital. The ACORD project, which enhances environmental data collection, is helping ensure safer, faster, and less carbon-intensive offshore wind development.”
John Ling, General Manager, Aerospace and Test at Nova Systems International, provides perspective on integration capacity, “Nova Systems are proud to work alongside WholeShip in the development of Ship-Air Digital Integration Equipment (SADIE) and thereby provide the National Drone Hub with this cutting-edge piece of Ship-Air integration equipment capability.
It’s especially great to see that Sylvain Manso and Alex Cunliff are driving critical innovations, and have worked together to develop digital models of uncrewed air systems for application and development of maritime operating limits, using SADIE in the digital environment”.
The National Drone Hub’s success is rooted in its strong partnerships with both industry giants and innovative SMEs. These partnerships have not only enhanced the capabilities of the National Drone Hub but have also created a vibrant ecosystem where innovation thrives. With plans for further expansion and the introduction of new technologies, the National Drone Hub’s contributions will be crucial in positioning the UK as a leader in the aerospace sector, driving economic growth, and supporting the nation’s broader strategic goals.
As we look to the future, the National Drone Hub will continue to be a beacon of innovation, drawing together the brightest minds and the most advanced technologies to shape the future of drone operations. For potential partners, investors, and users, the National Drone Hub offers a unique opportunity to be part of this exciting journey.
If you’d like to find out more, drop a line to the National Drone Hub’s Helen Stembridge on enquiries@wholeship.net.
