The UK National Police Air Service (NPAS) has launched its first series of trial flights of a beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) uncrewed aircraft system (UAS). NPAS will test UAS capable of flying for up to six hours, equipped with mission systems comparable to those on its current manned aircraft fleet.
Funded by the UK Home Office, these trials aim to explore if and how BVLOS UAS can complement traditional manned police helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. The project is part of the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) BVLOS Integration Sandbox – a controlled environment designed to safely test new aviation technologies within regulatory frameworks.
NPAS is using a CAMCOPTER S-100 system, supplied by the manufacturer Schiebel. The trials will initially take place in a CAA-approved Temporary Danger Area (TDA) to remove all risk of confliction with other aircraft. The second phase of the trials (approximately three months later) will operate in a Temporary Reserved Area, which is currently going through the CAA approvals process.
NPAS is working with NATS and its air traffic control team in Cardiff to ensure the trials operate safely, within the airspace over the Severn Estuary.
For more information
National Police Air Service – UK
Image: NPAS
