Spaceport Cornwall and National Drone Hub Launch UK Autonomy Testing Project

Collaboration aims to create a combined civilian and military drone test environment

Spaceport Cornwall has launched a new project with the National Drone Hub to create a unique testing environment for uncrewed aerial systems in the United Kingdom. The collaboration brings together civilian airport infrastructure and military-supported airspace to support advanced drone testing.

The project is based in Cornwall and combines existing capabilities at the National Drone Hub with new testing activity at Cornwall Airport Newquay. Work on the project began on December 15, 2025.

Expanding Drone Testing Capabilities in Cornwall

The National Drone Hub is operated by WholeShip in partnership with the Royal Navy. It is the UK’s first Civil Aviation Authority accredited drone test site. The facility provides access to a 320-hectare site with four runways and more than 8,000 square kilometres of segregated maritime airspace off the Lizard Peninsula.

That airspace already supports testing and evaluation of drone systems in a controlled setting. The new collaboration will expand those capabilities by adding Cornwall Airport Newquay to the test environment.

As part of the project, the team is working to establish a Specific Operations Risk Assessment, known as a SORA, at Newquay. A SORA is a safety framework required for complex drone operations, including flights beyond visual line of sight.

Supporting BVLOS and High-Speed Operations

The project is supported by funding from Cornwall Space Cluster. If approved, it could enable access to segregated airspace off the north coast of Cornwall, extending from Newquay.

This airspace would support Beyond Visual Line of Sight testing and evaluation. It could also allow operations involving larger and faster uncrewed vehicles. These include high-speed systems and uncrewed platforms capable of supersonic travel.

Together, the two sites would form a connected testing environment. The goal is to support development and certification of next-generation autonomous systems, from small drones to advanced uncrewed vehicles.

Amy Smith, Managing Director at Cornwall Airport Newquay, said: “This joint project combines the expertise of two pioneering aerospace teams in Cornwall delivering national firsts in space and future air systems.”

Regional and National Aerospace Focus

Partners involved say the project also supports broader regional goals. Helen Stembridge, Director at Wholeship, said: “We are delighted to be working with Spaceport Cornwall/Cornwall Airport Newquay to support and develop this dual use opportunity to benefit the airport, the county and the region.”

Gail Eastaugh, Head of Strategic Partnerships at Cornwall Space Cluster, highlighted the wider impact. She said: “This collaboration offers an incredible opportunity for us to further cement Cornwall’s place at the forefront of UK space and aerospace operations, and Cornwall Space Cluster is proud to support this groundbreaking project.”

The project aligns with Spaceport Cornwall’s wider mission to support future air and space systems. That mission includes providing flexible, low-cost, and safe access to space while supporting aerospace innovation. It also reflects Cornwall’s growing role as a hub for advanced aerospace technology and operations.

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