Thunderstrike Aviation does HCA Airport to the centre of its European drone production. With the opening of a brand new drone factory, HCA Airports already strong drone ecosystem both jobs and innovation.
The American drone company has officially opened its new 5,000 square metre drone factory at HCA Airport. This is a milestone not only for Thunderstrike Aviation, but also for HCA Airport, cementing its position as one of Europe's strongest drone development hubs.
The new factory will not only add production capacity and innovation to Funen, but also jobs, as the factory - which will eventually produce up to 500 large surveillance drones per year - is expected to create up to 240 new jobs.
"The establishment of Thunderstrike's factory is a huge boost for HCA Airport and the culmination of the hard work that has been put into making the airport a central drone and business hub over the past fifteen years. I am confident that Thunderstrike's presence at the airport can act as a lever for further growth and innovation that will not only benefit HCA Airport and our ecosystem, but also the entire region," says Hans Okholm Vejrup, CEO of HCA Airport.
Prominent guests cut the ribbon
The official opening on 22 August was marked with a ceremony at the airport attended by a number of prominent guests - including HRH Prince Joachim, Denmark's Minister for Business Morten Bødskov, Mayor of Odense Peter Rahbæk Juel, Mayor of Nordfyn Mette Landtved-Holm, Member of Parliament Trine Bramsen and Thunderstrike founder and CEO David Schmidt.
Thunderstrike has already made its mark at HCA Airport with a hangar for development and testing that was inaugurated last year. With the new factory, the company is now cementing its commitment to Funen and Denmark.
The establishment of Thunderstrike's factory follows the Danish defence's decision earlier this year to establish A national drone centre at HCA Airport - a three-digit million investment that is expected to create around 100 jobs.