Controversial military drones could soon fly over Cornwall after an announcement that the world’s first private facility for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) has been created through a partnership between West Wales Airport and Newquay Cornwall Airport.

Launched in London, the National Aeronautical Centre (NAC) will enable the development, testing, evaluation, training and demonstration of drones.

The centre is open to civilian and military contractors and will deliver services and accommodation for all sizes of drones in production and development over the next 20 years, with the NAC website saying that with "one of the longest fully instrumented runways in the UK at 3,000 metres and access to 8,000 sq km of segregated airspace Newquay can play host to the largest of unmanned systems".

Adding that with the Aerohub being England's only aerospace focused Enterprise Zone Newquay offers aviation and aerospace companies a "unique operating environment".

Backed by Cornwall and Scily Isles Development Agency, it supplies a wide range of services including ground accommodation and project financing.

Drones are controversial, both from a public privacy stand point and for their role in the deaths of thousands of innocent civilians, including children, in Pakistan and other countries. 

Ray Mann, Head of the NAC, said: “The launch of the NAC is a further step towards developing a UK based UAS capability that can operate in a competitive global market place. Confidence surrounding UAS continues to grow and we can’t afford to be left behind.”

“This is an opportunity for the UK to lead the way – Together, West Wales Airport and Newquay Cornwall Airport are committed to being at the forefront of developments in this sector and we hope our vision will deliver rewards. We need to ensure that some current perceptions of civilian use of UAS don’t hinder the UK’s ability to capitalise on this exciting opportunity for economic growth.”

Al Titterington, Managing Director of Newquay Cornwall Airport said: “The global aerospace market is forecast to be worth four trillion dollars (US) by 2030, yet the UK is currently forecast to see just 10% of this investment. The UK aerospace industry has a major opportunity in the UAS market but first it must develop, demonstrate and prove that systems and sub-systems can contribute to ensuring safe and reliable operations, whilst being properly regulated.”

“The creation of the NAC has given the UK a world unique, national asset, where the development of new aerospace technologies, in the form of UAS, is now being undertaken. We are excited about announcing this launch in partnership with West Wales Airport.”

Richard Deakin, Chief Executive Officer of NATS, said: “NATS has been controlling UAS’ for 40 years. We hold some of the world’s most respected experts in unmanned flight management and have been instrumental in developing and validating the procedures for unmanned flights in UK airspace.

“The NAC is a fundamental facility for growth in this industry and NATS is delighted to be involved in this launch as well as in future projects and commercial opportunities.”

The value of the UAS market has been forecast to be £30 billion per year by 2020 in the military sector alone.