THE UK’s first state-of-the-art drone testing facility will be built in the Southampton area following a multi-million-pound investment.

Firms from across the county are partnering up with defence service giant BAE systems, the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and University of Southampton to build the UK’s first autonomous systems testing service for marine vehicles.

The investment, valued at £1.5m, will put Southampton firmly on the map for drone innovation, with £457,000 coming from the LEP.

The testing facility area will be located off the coast of the city, with a mobile command centre thought to be stationed near Hamble and Swanwick.

The service will allow firms to conduct trials and test systems such as unmanned boats, air vehicles and autonomous sensors in a controlled and realistic environment in the Solent.

Solent LEP maritime chairman Ian Millen, pictured above, said: “The Solent is the heart of the UK’s marine and maritime sector and the assets we possess enable the region, its businesses and the UK economy to compete globally.

“From the Port of Southampton – the most productive port in Europe – to Portsmouth Naval Base, HQ of the Royal Navy and soon to be home to the largest aircraft carriers in UK history, the Solent is used to making waves on an international stage.

“The key to this success has always been founded in innovation and, through our investment, the LEP will ensure that the area and its businesses continue to be a driving force for UK marine innovation for years to come.”

The service will also make use of a secure maritime communications network and a mobile command and control centre. It will feature the same technology BAE Systems provide to UK Royal Navy platforms and could be stationed on land near Southampton. 

Frank Cotton, BAE Systems’ head of technology, said: The Solent has a growing number of world class organisations operating in the autonomy sector.

“Autonomous and unmanned systems are widely regarded as a vital technology for the future, but there is a great deal of work to be done if we are to unlock its true potential and understand how they are best integrated into wider systems.

“A wide range of organisations from the defence and commercial sectors, along with academia, have ambitions for this technology and this unique service will allow them to find valuable ways to use it whilst furthering its development.”

The service is set to be fully operational later this year.