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The National Police Air Service (NPAS) is set to lead a trial of uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) in collaboration with the National Air Traffic Control Service (NATS) and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
The trial will explore the feasibility of using drones, capable of operating beyond the visual line of sight (BVLOS), to support traditional police air operations.
The CAA has awarded NPAS a position in its BVLOS Integration Sandbox, a controlled environment where new technologies can be tested against regulatory standards.
“If trials are successful, this will enable delivery of a very highly capable air support blended fleet of police helicopters, aeroplanes and uncrewed aircraft in future years,” said David Walters, Head of Futures and Innovation at NPAS.
The trials, funded by the Home Office, are part of a broader initiative to incorporate advanced drone technology into police operations.
Expected to begin in Spring 2025, the trials will be conducted from an NPAS base in the South West, with plans to eventually integrate these drones into a combined fleet alongside helicopters and airplanes. If successful, this could mark a significant shift in how air support is delivered by UK police forces.
Sophie O’Sullivan, director of Future of Flight at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said: “These innovative trials mark a significant step forward in integrating drones safely into UK airspace.
“Our goal is to make drone operations beyond visual line of sight a safe and everyday reality, contributing to the modernisation of UK airspace and the incorporation of new technology into our skies.”
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As the UK’s leading provider of air traffic control services, NATS is also supporting NPAS with the approval of trial airspace for the uncrewed aircraft, plus airspace integration and safety oversight.
Along with the skills and experience of the police aviation team at NPAS, the partnership brings together the very best expertise in aviation safety and air support to explore the potentially exciting opportunities that uncrewed aircraft could offer policing in the future.
