ARLINGTON, Virginia: AeroVironment, Inc., a leading defense technology company specializing in autonomous systems, announced on June 18, 2025, the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Hans Christian Andersen Airport in Odense, Denmark, home to the UAS Denmark Test Center. This landmark agreement aims to jointly utilize the center’s extensive airspace and cutting-edge test facilities to advance uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) demonstration operations, mission training, and customer integration activities throughout the region.
The UAS Denmark Test Center, recognized as one of Europe’s premier drone innovation hubs, offers a unique 1,900-square-kilometer airspace that includes an approved Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) zone extending over land and the North Funen Sea. The center combines state-of-the-art laboratories, workshops, and a collaborative ecosystem involving government, academia, and industry partners, making it an ideal environment for testing and developing advanced unmanned technologies.
Shane Hastings, AeroVironment’s Vice President and General Manager of Medium UAS, described the MOU as a pivotal step in expanding the company’s operational presence in Europe. “Our partnership with UAS Denmark positions us to deliver enhanced capabilities, mission-critical training, and integrated UAS solutions to allied defense forces and government stakeholders across the region,” Hastings stated.
This collaboration is designed not only to facilitate AV’s demonstration and training operations but also to enable joint research and development initiatives. It is expected to accelerate the growth of the UAS Denmark Test Center as a regional epicenter for advanced UAS innovation, evaluation, and operational readiness, thereby strengthening the technological edge of allied forces.
The agreement builds upon AeroVironment’s existing commitments in Denmark, notably its February 2025 Framework Agreement with the Danish Ministry of Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organization (DALO). Under that framework, AV is delivering advanced UAS platforms, operator and maintainer training, and lifecycle support aimed at enhancing the Danish Armed Forces’ intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. The new MOU with UAS Denmark reinforces AV’s dedication to providing scalable, reliable, and combat-proven UAS platforms that offer tactical advantages in dynamic operational environments.
By formalizing this partnership, AeroVironment continues to broaden its international collaborations and operational support capabilities. This expansion ensures that allied defense forces have access to the necessary tools, training, and integrated systems required to maintain readiness and effectiveness in evolving mission scenarios.
Founded in 1971 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, AeroVironment is a global leader in intelligent, multi-domain robotic systems serving defense, government, and commercial customers. The company specializes in autonomous systems, precision strike technologies, counter-UAS solutions, space-based platforms, directed energy systems, and cyber and electronic warfare capabilities. With a robust innovation pipeline and a national manufacturing footprint, AV delivers proven and future-defining technologies designed to meet the mission needs of today’s warfighter and anticipate tomorrow’s conflicts.
Situated at Hans Christian Andersen Airport in Odense, the UAS Denmark Test Center is one of Europe’s foremost drone testing and innovation centers. It offers a dedicated BVLOS airspace, rapid approval processes, and comprehensive drone laboratories. The center operates through a collaborative partnership among the University of Southern Denmark, Odense Municipality, and the airport, fostering a vibrant ecosystem that connects government, academia, and industry. Its mission is to accelerate drone technology development, create value for the drone industry, and establish Denmark as a leading hub for unmanned aerial systems innovation.
This strategic partnership between AeroVironment and UAS Denmark represents a significant advancement in allied UAS capabilities, promising enhanced operational readiness and technological innovation in the European defense landscape.
