The drone cage enables scientists from the German Aerospace Center (DLR) as well as external organizations to conduct short-term basic testing of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) within a secure environment. This allows for the rapid execution of flight tests and trials without the usual approval procedures.
Normally, UAS flights are prohibited near airports for safety reasons. However, within the drone cage, prototype UAS weighing up to 25 kilograms can be tested without the need for special authorization. This approach is particularly suitable for testing minor modifications. For flight experiments at higher technology readiness levels in a realistic test environment, the National Test Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems in Cochstedt is used. There, it is also possible to examine the integration of unmanned aircraft systems into controlled airspace.
The drone cage consists of a net structure stretched across several steel beams, covering an area approximately 45 meters in diameter and 13 meters high. Within this space, one or more UAS can fly but cannot leave the enclosed area. This setup enables safe, rapid, and approval-free testing of UAS applications at the DLR site in Braunschweig.
The use of the drone cage is also available to external cooperation partners and scientists. For further information, please contact us at dronecage@dlr.de.
