b'Partner News Winter 2021 15AcademicAl-Rubaye, Reader in Autonomous andto benefit from the cutting-edge research Connected Systems at Cranfield. Throughactivities of academics and fill gaps in R&D, working on DARTeC projects I have feltwhich not all start-ups can afford to have,Collaborative working the real-world and existing challenges inadds Dr Al-Rubaye. It allows them to stay unmanned aircraft systems communicationscontinuously connected to early-stageat DARTeC is a win-win which usually are not noticed in academic- research and to accelerate the translation ofsituation for both industry only research projects. I have had the chancethat research into new products that drive to work with different people from industryeconomic growth. and academia with many and to understand their mindsetsthis canmutual benefits.help with planning for future collaboration. DARTeC projects are also enabling Cranfield researchers to work with innovative SMEs Cranfield researchers list knowledge transfer,not from the aerospace/aviation sector. This awareness of industry trends, inspirationis allowing for the consideration of wider from application derived discussions, quickerexploitation of research to other industrial test and validation routes for innovativesectors and providing researchers with a concepts, faster routes to market and up- better understanding of current R&D in other take of new technology developments, andsectors and how they can benefit from it.outreach to extended population brackets as among the benefits for both academia andGlobal research airportindustry arising from collaboration. Cranfields global research airport offers a unique environment for transformational Working with SMEs research with interconnectivity between As well as collaboration with morefacilities and across academic disciplines.established industry partners, theGame-changing technologies such as the involvement of small and medium sizedfirst operational digital air traffic control businesses (SMEs) in DARTeC is alsotower in the UK and next-generation radar providing particular advantages. technologies on the Universitys licensed airport create a unique research and Dr Panagiotakopoulos said: Working withdevelopment environment. SMEs has been a breath of fresh airtheir agility has often expedited project work,Combining the Universitys unique decision-making and product development.facilities for aviation-related projects and Products, solutions and services developedrich experience in handling aerospace can be a fundamental part of SME productdevelopment with the breadth of DARTeCs lines, helping them to grow, and providingindustry partners is providing a complete key contributions to the future airspace andpackage for projects covering research, test, technologies that will fully unlock the truevalidation, and prototype manufacture.potential of drone applications.Collaborative projects with academia provide an excellent opportunity for SMEs'