The Aerial Research Platform (PAI) consists of a newly manufactured aircraft, with the necessary structural modifications to equip it with instrumentation and sensors, work areas for operators and specific equipment for data acquisition and processing. This aeronautical research platform will specifically cover the following technological objectives:
- Flight tests. Tests related to aeronautical systems and equipment such as aerodynamic surfaces, structures, sensors, actuators, etc.
- Atmospheric research. Study of atmospheric physics and chemistry based on data obtained by sensors: gas composition, pressure, temperature, etc.
- Remote sensing with aerial sensors. Campaigns to obtain remote sensing data with sensors and embedded equipment such as thermal and hyperspectral cameras, radars, etc.
- New technology developments. The Project will provide the appropriate means for the development and implementation of new technologies for specific aeronautical use and for application to other areas, for example, in the area of structural damage monitoring.
The aerial research platform will also be available to provide advanced training to future researchers in the field of Earth Sciences whose studies require geospatial data acquired from the air for different uses: agriculture, geology, atmosphere, inland waters, marine environment, etc. This new INTA infrastructure will have its operations base in Andalusia, specifically at the new CEUS facilities (UAV Experimentation Centre).
Execution and results
On 4 July 2023, the National Institute of Aerospace Technology (INTA) and the Centre for Technological Development and Innovation (CDTI) presented the new Aerial Research Platform (PAI), an action included in the Strategic Project for Economic Recovery and Transformation (PERTE) Aerospace and is co-financed with ERDF funds, in the context of an action regulated by an agreement between INTA and CDTI.
This platform, which is part of the CDTI call for public Scientific-Technological Initiatives, consists of an AIRBUS C295 aircraft manufactured in Spain, adapted for taking data from flight tests, atmospheric and environmental research, as well as remote sensing and Earth observation.
The PAI will facilitate testing and experimentation activities both for research centres such as INTA, CSIC and all national and European centres, as well as companies, that want to carry out campaigns to test instruments in flight or carry out experimental flights.