The new coordinator for aerospace in Saxony comes from the TU Dresden (TUD), "Friedrich List" Faculty of Transport and Traffic Sciences. Professor Hartmut Fricke, has headed the Chair of Air Transport Technology and Logistics since 2001. "I am very pleased that with Prof. Fricke we have been able to gain an outstanding expert in the industry as coordinator," said Saxony's Minister President Michael Kretschmer at the appointment. "Aerospace in Saxony is a key industry of the future. I am convinced that Prof. Fricke will provide important impetus to strengthen the transfer from science to Saxony's economy. Our goal is to increase the visibility of this highly innovative industry beyond the state borders and to improve cooperation with associations as well as in the direction of federal and EU politics. Thanks to his many years of employment in Saxony, Prof. Fricke is excellently networked in the industry in the Free State and far beyond," said the Minister President in praise of the TUD scientist's work to date.

Martin Dulig, Saxony's Minister of State for Economic Affairs, Labour and Transport, commented on Prof. Fricke's appointment: "The digitalisation of the planning and production of aircraft and their electrification are enabling completely new disruptive concepts for the first time in decades. I am convinced that Saxony, with its strengths in microelectronics, software, data transmission technologies and lightweight construction, can benefit particularly from the transformation process in aerospace as well. I wish Prof. Fricke a good start and much success in his work."

Aerospace is undergoing a fundamental transformation process

Aerospace is one of the key industries of the 21st century. The sector is undergoing a fundamental transformation process as part of the mobility and energy transition. In the coming years, new supply chains for a variety of new products will emerge. In the Free State of Saxony, the aerospace sector consists of around 160 industrial companies and research institutions employing 7,000 people. The aerospace sector is facing major upheavals. In addition to sustainability, optimised, networked and ultimately autonomous flying as well as the emergence of a new transport sector around so-called UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) will fundamentally change the sector in the coming decades. With its excellent prerequisites in software, communication technology and microelectronics, the Free State of Saxony wants to participate in this transformation process of the industry and help shape the future of aerospace.

About the person:
Prof. Dr. Hartmut Fricke has held the Chair of Ar Transport Technology and Logistics and Director of the Institute of Logistics and Aviation at TU Dresden since 2001.Since March 2019, his institute has also been home to the Char of Helicopter Technologies as part of a joint appointment with the DLR Institute for Systems Engineering in Braunschweig.Prof. Fricke has been a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) since 2006 and chairman from 2018 to 2020.

(Source: Press release of the Free State of Saxony/Saxon State Government of 12 July 2022)