Bundeswehr drone flies through European upper airspace

For the first time

A German Heron TP drone belonging to the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) has successfully flown through upper airspace, marking the first-ever such flight in Europe.

The event occurred as part of the ‘Accommodation and Validation of Medium Altitude Long Endurance Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems’ (MALE RPAS) project, a key initiative spearheaded by the European Defence Agency (EDA).

The project aims to ensure that uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs), such as the Heron TP, can safely navigate military and civil airspace, when necessary, for various applications.

The flight, which took place in January 2025, covered a route from Schleswig in northern Germany to Leeuwarden in the Netherlands and back. During this journey, the Heron TP ascended into upper airspace, where commercial aircraft typically operate. This demonstrated the drone’s capability to operate alongside manned aviation at 7,500 metres and beyond altitudes.

The mission was part of a broader European collaboration. The Institute of Flight Guidance at the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) was the primary contractor, alongside the Netherlands Aerospace Centre (Royal NLR) and the Bundeswehr.

This historic flight was significant because it marked the first time that an uncrewed aircraft, operating as part of a military force, entered upper airspace in Europe. The Heron TP, a large drone with a wingspan of 26 metres and a flight endurance of over 24 hours, took off within military-controlled airspace.

However, it was soon handed over to civil air traffic control, managed by Deutsche Flugsicherung (DFS) and the EUROCONTROL Maastricht Upper Area Control Centre (MUAC). During the flight, the drone reached an altitude of 8,500 metres, successfully traversing both German and Dutch airspace.

The primary aim of this flight and the MALE RPAS project is to investigate the feasibility of integrating uncrewed aircraft into the existing air traffic control framework, particularly in shared civil airspace. Integrating UAVs into civilian skies presents several challenges, especially when managing air traffic.

Key concerns include the differing speeds of UAVs compared to human-crewed aircraft and the potential for disruption to existing flight routes. The Heron TP, being slower than most commercial aircraft, could cause delays or require air traffic management adjustments to ensure smooth operations.

As part of the research, the project team focused on understanding how these drones interact with the complex air traffic system. This includes examining any necessary modifications to current air traffic control procedures and identifying any gaps in UAV capabilities that might need to be addressed.

One significant hurdle in this area is ensuring that drones can safely operate alongside crewed aircraft, especially at higher altitudes, where commercial flights are most common.

Before the flight, a comprehensive risk assessment was conducted. The team analysed the differences between crewed and uncrewed aviation, evaluating the drone’s performance and capabilities. This research allowed air traffic control authorities to determine whether the flight could be conducted safely within civil airspace. Previously, similar study flights undertaken by the EDA were limited to lower altitudes, where the interaction between drones and human-crewed aircraft is less complex.

While the Heron TP is a military platform, the data gathered from this flight will also contribute to the broader goal of integrating drones into civil airspace. The results of the MALE RPAS project are expected to provide a framework for similar initiatives across Europe.

The findings will highlight the opportunities and challenges associated with incorporating uncrewed aircraft into civil aviation, paving the way for future developments in drone technology and its application in both military and civil sectors.

This groundbreaking flight represents a significant step in safely and efficiently integrating UAVs into European airspace. It can potentially revolutionise drone use across various industries, including defence, surveillance, and civilian applications. Image: A German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) drone has flown along the German coast into the Netherlands and back again as part of the ‘Accommodation and Validation of Medium Altitude Long Endurance Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems’ (MALE RPAS) project. The project aims to enable drones like this to be guided through upper and lower airspace when necessary, considering both military and civil applications. Credit: Bundeswehr/Lars Pötzsch

Last Updated on 5 days by Arnold Pinto