The sky's the limit as the future of drone technology descends on San Javier

The former San Javier airport is hosting 74 companies and more than 2,000 industry professionals for two days of drone technology and live demonstrations

San Javier's former airport is looking rather different this week as it plays host to companies from the drone and aerospace industries. UNVEX 2026 is taking place on Wednesday September 16 and Thursday September 17, bringing more than 2,000 professionals and 74 companies to the former airport site.

The event is being held at the new Centro de Innovación Aeroespacial, which was created at the site after €732,000 of work was carried out over the summer by the Instituto de Fomento. The 60,000-square-metre site has been turned into a temporary exhibition area, with companies from the aerospace, defence and technology sectors taking part. Among them are Airbus, Indra, MBDA and Arquimea.

There will also be plenty to see in the air, with live flight demonstrations planned on the runway used by the Academia General del Aire y del Espacio.

Indra is due to demonstrate its Tarsis family of drones, developed for the Spanish Armed Forces. The aircraft can take off and land vertically, and the company will also demonstrate systems designed to detect and deal with other drones.

Arquimea will demonstrate its Q-Slam, a short-range tactical system, while FPV drones recently acquired by the Ejército del Aire y del Espacio will also feature in the demonstrations.

The two-day event will also look at how drones are being used in areas such as rescue work, agriculture and industrial security. New regulations and other civilian uses of the technology will also be discussed.

The Region of Murcia's Caetra programme will have its own area, where visitors can find out more about drone technology being developed in the Region. The Academia General del Aire y del Espacio will also put on a display using its Pilatus PC-21 aircraft.

The San Javier Town Hall is supporting UNVEX, which organisers see as an opportunity for local businesses to make connections with some of the biggest companies working in the sector.

The event is also the first industry gathering to be held at the new Centro de Innovación Aeroespacial, giving San Javier a chance to show what the former airport site can now be used for.

UNVEX is a professional event and isn't open to the general public. Anyone attending needs to register in advance, with places subject to availability.

Images 1 & 3: Unmanned Defense Systems
Image 2: San Javier