Description
Drones Beyond is DTA’s flagship initiative, designed to be a reference point for European and national institutions and industry shaping the future of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Innovative Aerial Services (IAS).
The event brings together policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, and innovators to share the state of the art, evaluate alignment between industrial progress and policy agendas, and promote more coordinated efforts toward high-impact IAS deployment.
With a strong foundation in real-world outcomes, Drones Beyond stands out for its pragmatic, action-driven focus. Among results achieved through European project, it showcases the results of R&D programs launched by DTA across the Apulian region programs that have already demonstrated measurable value and scalability.
Keynotes, roundtable discussions, and live UAS/IAS demonstrations are carefully curated to illustrate how goals, strategies, and models align with the operational realities and technological challenges of drone deployment.
Drones Beyond also spotlights the Grottaglie Airport Test Bed (GATB) — an UAS research and flight test infrastructure designed, deployed, operated and managed by DTA in collaboration with University of Bari, University of Salento, Polytechnic of Bari. Through this platform, DTA and its partners bring forward tangible achievements, solutions, and lessons learned that contribute directly to the advancement of the UAS sector.
In addition to its industrial and institutional mission, Drones Beyond has a strong educational and outreach dimension. As aerospace is a strategic pillar in Puglia’s Smart Specialization Strategy, the event includes initiatives aimed at secondary school students, offering them hands-on exposure to drone technologies and industry growth pathways. This focus on STEM engagement supports the development of a future-ready workforce to fuel regional innovation.
Drones Beyond is the milestone event through which DTA presents Apulia’s achievements, ambitions, and future projects to Italy and to Europe.