Anna University to Begin BVLOS Drone Trials at Chettinad Airfield in October

Chennai's Anna University is preparing to begin drone flight trials at the Chettinad Aeronadu Aviation Hub in Kanadukathan in the first week of October, following in-principle approval from the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO).

The upcoming trials will focus on Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations. In these operations, unmanned aerial vehicles are flown beyond the direct field of vision of the pilot and are controlled using communication, navigation, and surveillance systems. BVLOS capability is considered critical for deploying drones over extended distances for emergency medical deliveries, disaster response operations, agricultural surveys, and industrial inspections.

The trial initiative is part of a three-year project managed by the university's Centre for Aerospace Research (CASR) to establish a dedicated ecosystem for BVLOS drone testing and training. The state government has sanctioned Rs 9.83 crore for the project under the Tamil Nadu Innovation Initiatives Scheme for the 2025-26 period.

TIDCO granted permission to CASR on August 27 to set up a temporary ground control station and conduct drone testing and flight trials at the Chettinad airfield. CASR director K Senthil Kumar stated that the university is currently putting the necessary operational framework in place ahead of the October launch.

According to Senthil Kumar, the project will strengthen Tamil Nadu's drone startup ecosystem and benefit both students and entrepreneurs, noting that no other dedicated university-run drone trial facility currently exists in the country. Under the project framework, the centre plans to train more than 1,500 students in unmanned aerial vehicle technologies over the next three years.

TIDCO's present approval permits temporary usage of the site. CASR is authorised to install operational equipment, including computers, monitors, and power generators, but cannot carry out permanent construction at this stage. TIDCO has earmarked two acres of land for CASR inside the aviation hub, with permanent structures set to be considered once required clearances are obtained.