Airbus to Help Develop New Zealand’s UAV and Space Data Tech Sectors

Airbus SE, the European aerospace corporation, design, manufacture and sell civil and military aerospace products worldwide and manufacture in multiple countries both inside and outside of the European Union. Airbus has had a number of projects in which they researched technological trends and how these trends can be translated into helpful aeronautical products that are useful for practical operation.

Another such commitment was made recently by the company. On the 30th of October, 2018, Airbus set up an agreement to develop unmanned aerial wehicles (UAV) and space data tech.
The New Zealand Labour Party parliamentarian and the minister of research, science and innovation Megan Woods has announced a recent agreement with Airbus that are committed to developing capability in the rising technical trends internationally; critical to New Zealand.

The agreement is documented with a letter of intent signed between Airbus and Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) that sets Airbus to develop, experiment and refine their technical projects in New Zealand; and to work with MBIE for the adoption of innovative space data technologies in practical usage.

Speaking on the commitment of Airbus with the projects they seek to explore, minister Megan Woods said, “Airbus has committed to collaborate on innovation challenges that combine UA and space data technologies. These challenges will generate solutions for real problems, catalyse innovation and increase our R&D capabilities in UAs and space data technologies and applications,”
She described the steps already undertaken by Europe’s largest aeronautics and space company as she commented, “Airbus is already building strong connections within our innovation and space ecosystems, including a recent agreement that establishes the Centre of Space Science Technology in Alexandra as the primary provider of Airbus satellite data and products in New Zealand.”

She continued describing the deliverables and requirements of the commitments made in the agreement, “Attracting R&D investment and activity in areas like new space and advanced aviation technologies are key priorities for Innovative Partnerships as there is huge potential for New Zealand to be at the forefront of these rapidly developing sectors”.

This letter of intent is a step that appreciates innovative, technical partnerships between companies and systems that promotes quick and convenient research and development in technical fields.