Unmanned aerial vehicles New Drone Security Technology Center Launches in Cochstedt

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The drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport in early August clearly demonstrated how vulnerable Germany's infrastructure is. Protecting airports, critical infrastructures, and public facilities from the misuse of drones must therefore be intensified. This is now the focus of the new Drone Security Technology Center, which began operations on August 18, 2026, at Magdeburg-Cochstedt Airport (Germany).

Sad but true: disruptions to air traffic caused by drones have almost become part of everyday life. The figures also confirm this: in 2025 alone, 116 significant drone incidents were recorded at 25 commercial airports. The estimated economic damage amounts to at least 60 million euros (approx. 70 million USD). How vulnerable Germany is was underscored by the attempted attack with an explosive drone on Leipzig Airport on August 4, 2026. A danger that is well-known, as Federal Minister of the Interior Alexander Dobrindt explained at the ceremonial opening of the new Drone Security Technology Center in Cochstedt: "We have known since before Leipzig that we are threatened by drones. Hybrid attacks aim to defeat us politically and economically. Whoever targets and hits Germany is hitting all of Europe." To counter the "shadow war of the 21st century," "joint efforts, which we as the federal and state governments are undertaking," are necessary.

An important achievement of these joint efforts was inaugurated on August 18, 2026—the new Drone Security Technology Center at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) site at Magdeburg-Cochstedt Airport. Located about 35 kilometers (approx. 22 miles) south-southwest of the Saxony-Anhalt capital Magdeburg, the Cochstedt Airport was built in 1957 and converted into a commercial airport in 1994. In 2019, the airport was sold to the DLR, which uses it as a real-world laboratory for drones and a research airport. In 2021, the DLR opened a "National Testing Center for Unmanned Aerial Systems" there; since 2022, takeoffs and landings for smaller aircraft within the framework of visual flight operations have also been possible upon prior registration.

This makes the site ideally suited for conducting research in real-world operations, as Dorothee Bär, Federal Minister for Research, Technology, and Space, emphasised: "Here, new applications and technologies are being tested—for the economy, for authorities, and now increasingly for our security. We must all work together—the federal government alongside the states, science, industry, security agencies, and public administration—for Germany's future, a future of freedom, security, and prosperity." She described Cochstedt as a beacon for drone research from which she expects great things: "We are leaders in basic research, but we must become faster in application." This is now set to happen in Cochstedt.

Speed is a decisive factor

Speed sounds appealing to Saxony-Anhalt's Prime Minister Sven Schulze, who, as a graduate industrial engineer, has his professional roots in the automotive industry: "Compared to automotive development, the development cycles in drone technology take only a few weeks." Especially in the development of military drone technology. Because, as unfortunately seen in the Ukraine-Russia war, technology rapidly becomes obsolete due to electronic warfare tactics such as jamming or spoofing. Software adjustments, AI integrations, and modifications to FPV drones are developed, tested, and deployed to the front within 2 to 4 weeks.

Technologies for unmanned aerial systems as well as their detection and defence are evolving at a rapid pace. Therefore, the Drone Security Technology Center is expected to contribute in the future to evaluating new approaches early on, further developing them, and transferring them into practical application more quickly. A particularly important aspect is the use of drones in security-relevant situations as well as the effective defence against drone threats.

The focus is on research and development that aligns with specific operational requirements. The DLR has committed itself to realistically evaluating existing and future technologies. This includes, for example, methods for safe drone operation as well as technologies for the detection and defence against unwanted drones. Different scenarios and both current and future drone systems will be simulated and analysed under controlled conditions.

Close gaps, expand expertise

Furthermore, the DLR aims to work with companies to further develop new approaches more quickly, thereby specifically closing existing capability gaps. To this end, the DLR provides extensive expertise, development environments, simulators, as well as laboratory and testing infrastructures. "Through transfer and knowledge exchange, new approaches from research can be quickly and purposefully converted into usable solutions," emphasised Prof. Dr.-Ing. Anke Kaysser-Pyzalla, Chairwoman of the DLR Executive Board. "Because we do not develop technology for its own sake—we solve specific problems and meet specific needs. Research must have an impact—especially when it comes to the security of our country."

The offering is aimed at companies of various sizes—from start-ups to established manufacturers. They can develop, test, and demonstrate technologies together with the center. At the same time, the requirements of future users are meant to be incorporated into development as early as possible.

Even outside such projects, authorities and companies can use the infrastructure of the technology center for tests and demonstrations. Representatives of authorities can also participate in projects, through internships, or within the framework of qualification programs.

Drone development at the DLR site in Braunschweig

In addition to Cochstedt, the DLR site in Braunschweig (Germany) is also part of the Technology Center. In the Lower Saxony city, a laboratory is located where drones and related technologies are developed and tested before being trialed under real-world conditions in Cochstedt. Braunschweig, for instance, features a drone cage with a base area of 1,500 square meters and also offers space for setups such as obstacles or landing pads. A net is stretched over steel beams to ensure that the drones do not leave the test environment. (se)

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