Romania initiates integrated drone development program
<p>Romania has initiated its first integrated drone development program through a collaboration protocol signed on November 5 by the minister of economy, entrepreneurship, and tourism, Ștefan-Radu Oprea, and the minister of research, innovation, and digitization, Bogdan-Gruia Ivan.</p>

<p>This agreement aims to foster scientific research and technological advancements in aerospace, specifically for creating a Romanian-manufactured drone.</p>

<p>Minister Bogdan-Gruia Ivan highlighted that the protocol marks a significant advancement in Romania's aerospace research, while minister Ștefan-Radu Oprea noted that the drone prototype could eventually be manufactured in both state-owned and private defence industry factories across Romania, <a href="https://www.g4media.ro/ministrii-economiei-si-cercetarii-au-semnat-un-protocol-pentru-fabricarea-primei-drone-romanesti.html?mc_cid=bd4b019d74&amp;mc_eid=cd1f92f96c" rel="noopener" target="_blank">G4media.ro</a> reported.</p>

<p>The project will primarily focus on developing a "Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Category Unmanned Aerial Capability" for dual-use applications. This includes building at least two UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) and establishing the ground infrastructure for their control, technical support, and IT operations.</p>

<p>Another focus area will be the development of autonomous aerial systems through the "Conversion of classic ammunition into loitering ammunition." This involves designing both fixed-wing and rotary-wing UAV systems, along with the necessary launch and control mechanisms to support autonomous operation.</p>

<p><em>iulian@romania-insider.com</em></p>

<p><em>(Photo source: Facebook/Bogdan Ivan)</em></p>