2nd Anniversary of the Goyang Drone Anchor Center
Establishing Itself as a Leading Hub for the Drone Industry
From Research and Demonstration to Control:
Building a One-Stop Platform for Goyang’s Drone Industry
The Goyang Drone Anchor Center, which opened in 2023 in Goyang Special City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Lee Donghwan), is celebrating its second anniversary. In just two years, it has established itself as the largest domestic platform for drone demonstration, research, and control, rapidly emerging as a hub for the drone and UAM (Urban Air Mobility) industries.
Lee Donghwan, Mayor of Goyang Special City, attending the opening ceremony of the Goyang Drone Anchor Center. Photo by Goyang Special City
According to Goyang Special City on August 27, the Drone Anchor Center is equipped with the largest indoor flight facility in Korea (1,864㎡), as well as spaces for companies, research and development (R&D), and operational evaluation. Based on these resources, the center provides one-stop support for the entire drone ecosystem, including research and development, demonstration, commercialization, and talent cultivation.
Currently, a total of 10 companies and organizations, including 7 drone-related companies and 3 public institutions, are located in the center. Companies focusing on technology development include Asetta (military and industrial drones), Quaternion (integrated drone solutions such as flight control systems and safety control software), DB Enertech (drone charging technology), Sierra Base (drone artificial intelligence software), Kencoa Aviation (aerospace hardware such as airframes and batteries), Fine VT (quantum cryptography-based drone communication), and VSpace (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport K-UAM Safety Operation System Core Technology Development Project Team), all specializing in the drone and aviation mobility sectors.
The public institutions housed in the center include the Korea Institute of Aviation Safety Technology (the only aviation safety specialist institution under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport), the Korea Testing Laboratory (the only public testing and certification institution under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy), and the Goyang Industry Promotion Agency (operating the K-Hi-Tech Platform Project under the Ministry of Employment and Labor).
These efforts in technology development have already produced tangible results. Sierra Base Co., Ltd. proved its global competitiveness by winning the CES 2025 Best Innovation Award, and the portable weather observation equipment developed by Quaternion Co., Ltd. was designated as an innovative product by the Korea Meteorological Administration.
The Drone Anchor Center is also operating customized drone education programs to foster professional talent and expand citizen participation.
Since the program began in earnest last year, a cumulative total of about 600 people have participated, and in the second half of this year, approximately 200 teenagers will be given the opportunity to experience the program.
From November 5 to 7, 2025, the '2025 Drone·UAM Expo' will be held at KINTEX. Citizens will be able to experience drones and UAM firsthand and gain a better understanding of the future mobility industry.
Goyang City is expanding its drone infrastructure alongside the continued growth of the Drone Anchor Center. In the second half of this year, as part of its smart city initiative, the city will install a drone integrated control system (G-UTM) at the Creative Innovation Campus in Seongsa, and establish seven drone stations throughout the city. By deploying drones in each district, the city will be able to respond quickly and monitor in real time during emergencies such as disasters, patrols, and missing person incidents.
Furthermore, Goyang is the only city in Gyeonggi Province included in the second phase of the 'K-UAM Grand Challenge' demonstration project for the commercialization of urban air mobility. The city will construct a vertiport (vertical take-off and landing site) of approximately 18,000㎡ at 2707 Daehwa-dong.
Agreement to Establish a Strategic Partnership for UAM New Technology Research and Development. Provided by Goyang Special City
Looking ahead, the city plans to create the 'Goyang Drone Valley,' a complex advanced industrial cluster integrating drones and UAM. To this end, an economic feasibility and site suitability study has been conducted for suitable sites, including Changneung New Town. The plan is to expand this into an integrated industrial cluster featuring specialized functions such as defense, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), and research and development.
Mayor Lee Donghwan stated, "The Goyang Drone Anchor Center has become more than just an industrial facility; it is now a platform driving innovation and collaboration in the drone industry. We will continue to support its development as a leading hub for Korea's advanced drone industry and as the center of the future mobility sector."
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