About us
About the HDCC
The Hessian Drone Competence Centre at Kassel Airport (HDCC) is an innovation and technology transfer centre based at TU Darmstadt. Through partnerships with industry, public authorities and critical infrastructure operators, it brings innovations in unmanned aircraft systems into practice more quickly by combining research, testing and training.
The interdisciplinary team from the Hessian Drone Competence Centre gathered at Kassel Airport for the handover ceremony. | © HDCCSascha Mannel
People
The HDCC Team
The HDCC is composed of a team of researchers and staff members from TU Darmstadt. Various disciplines—including mechanical engineering, political science, civil and environmental engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science—work closely together.
Management
Professors
Administrative Office
Research Associates
Stefan Smeu
Research Associate, Image and Video Analysis Research Group
© HDCC
Student Assistants
Things to know
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Here you will find concise answers to frequently asked questions about the Hessian Drone Competence Centre at Kassel Airport (HDCC).
The HDCC combines four areas of expertise:
- Research and Transfer,
- Kassel Airport Real-World Lab,
- Skill Training Centre,
- Innovation ecosystem.
Together, they form an integrated innovation process— from research to the safe application of new technologies.
Innovation does not end with the development of a new technology. What matters most is how quickly it can be tested under real-world conditions, further developed in collaboration with future users, and deployed safely. To this end, the Hessian Drone Competence Centre brings together research, a real-world lab, training, and an innovation ecosystem comprising academia, industry, and public-sector users. This shortens innovation cycles and accelerates the deployment of new technologies for unmanned aicraft systems and drones.
The Hessian Drone Competence Centre (HDCC) is part of the Technical University of Darmstadt. Its scientific foundation is based on the interdisciplinary expertise of the university’s researchers. Seven academic disciplines work closely together here, including political science, flight systems, robotics, communication networks, remote sensing, and video analysis. Their work span drone technology, artificial intelligence, communication, and societal perspectives.
The Skill Training Centre of the Hessian Drone Competence Centre (HDCC) offers qualification programmes, training, and exercises for the professional use of unmanned aircraft systems. New research feed directly into training courses and practical applications.
The Hessian Drone Competence Centre (HDCC) collaborates with companies, critical infrastructure operators, public authorities, public safety organisations, research institutions, and other public-sector users. The goal is to jointly develop innovations and bring them into practice more quickly.
The Hessian Drone Competence Centre (HDCC) focuses, among other things, on drone detection, AI, sensor technology, situational awareness, robotics, drone defense, and issues related to the societal and regulatory integration of new technologies. Researchers from seven disciplines at TU Darmstadt work closely together on these topics.
The Hessian Drone Competence Centre (HDCC) takes an integrated approach that combines research and transfer, testing, training, and an innovation ecosystem within a sustainable structure designed to remain in place even after the funding period ends. The goal is not only to develop new technologies but also to ensure their rapid and safe transition to practical application. Operational solutions are to be developed in collaboration with these stakeholders.
Another unique feature is its integration into ongoing airport operations, which allows for testing and training under real-world air traffic conditions, that university test sites or isolated drone testing areas cannot provide. The HDCC can also address regulatory questions concerning future drone operations.
The HDCC is part of TU Darmstadt and receives 8 million euros in funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the State of Hesse, represented by the Hessian Ministry of Digitalisation and Innovation (first funding phase: July 2026 through December 2028).