BURDI Project

BeNe U-space Reference Design Implementation

Just as U-space has specifically been designed as an enabling framework to facilitate scalable VLOS and BVLOS drone operations in even the most congested airspaces and over all types of environments, the BURDI project has been specifically designed to enable a speedy yet all-encompassing real live reference implementation of this U-space framework in Belgium, endorsed by one of its neighbouring countries. The BURDI project will be implemented mainly around the three main civil controlled airports in Belgium: Brussels, Antwerp and Liège, complemented with a zone East of Antwerp currently tagged as Helicopter Training Area.

BURDI project has been specifically designed to enable a speedy yet all-encompassing real live reference implementation of this U-space framework in Belgium.

What is the role of Future Needs?

Future Needs leads the data protection and data management plan of the BURDI project, participates in communication and dissemination activities and leads the ATM and U-space capacity assessment. Furthermore, at the topic of social acceptance & multilevel governance, Future Needs along with Airbus and the cities of UIC2 participating in the Advisory Board of the project, will evaluate the social acceptance and the multilevel governance of U-space implementation, especially in the UAM environment by using the UAM Smart indicators developed by our company in frames of the ongoing SAFIR- Med SESAR JU H2020 project (they will fine tuned and validated). Lastly, in the same topic, Future Needs will execute regular market surveys and ad-hoc analyses and then, it will elaborate a cost efficiency report and the business sustainability plan of the effective U-space services provision.

What is the main objective of the BURDI project?

The objective of the BURDI project is to implement a “full” U-space airspace concept in several environments (including controlled airspace and urban environments (UAM)) and to demonstrate its sustainability and socio-economic value for the drone services sector, driven by the safe and secure enablement of drone operations in complex and dense traffic conditions, including manned aviation activities. The BURDI program contributes to the Horizon Europe sector fostering development of decarbonised modes of transportation. The aim of the BURDI project is to establish multiple U-space airspaces implementations throughout the Belgian FIR.

How will the BURDI project contribute to the efficiency objectives of the trans-European transport network?

1. The BURDI project will use cost-efficient application of innovative technology for execution of essential activities in safety and security domains. These will cover inspection of critical infrastructures like the Port of Antwerp.
2. It will establishing the connection with other transportation mode ensuring the sustainable (decarbonised) delivery for the last kilometers.
3. It will get rid of existing bottlenecks due to ground traffic jam to deliver a payload, especially if there is a priority in support of medical operations, developed and datasets – to be scaled up in BURDI project.