Projects, procurement and contracts | National Police Air Service

Projects

Operating a police aviation service involves much more than just putting aircraft in the sky.

Our teams need the best equipment to gather evidence, communicate and stay safe, which is why our Project Management Office is an integral part of our service.

Its work ranges from arranging replacement and upgrades of aircraft equipment to managing major improvements to base infrastructure. Much of the work involves dealing with complex systems, especially around communications.

Keeping a large fleet of specialist aircraft up to date and fit for purpose involves spinning many plates. Here are just some of the key projects delivered in 2022/23.

Radio replacement: The EC145 fleet is being refitted with SC21 radio handsets. Design work has been completed. Installation will take place in 2023. Total cost: £325k.

Support of ADL ground infrastructure: We promoted the Airborne Down Link (ADL) system to other emergency service users, resulting in the purchase of ground receivers by fire and ambulance services.

Mapping upgrades: An order was placed for updates to maps and addresses, upgrades to data cartridges, and improvement of the onboard mapping system, allowing for more accurate searches. Total cost: £63k.

Camera purchases: We purchased two spare FLIR Star Safire HD systems to support the EC135 P2 fleet.

St Athan base: The NPAS St Athan base was completely refurbished in 2022, and a significant extension built by Wernick Buildings. Total cost: £185k.

Base improvement programme: A £200k budget was made available to carry out essential base improvements.

Metropolitan Police Service communications project: We have been working on the integration of an upgraded Command and Control and communications system through Multi Agency Incident Transfer (MAIT).

West Yorkshire control room project: With West Yorkshire Police project team, we have delivered a new Control Room Solution to the NPAS Operations Centre.

Airwave capability through to ESN: The ESN Air Network, across the UK, continues to develop with a completion date of Autumn 2024. Part of this network, in North Wales and North West England, now forms the Air Test network and is being used to test the air devices.

Helmets: A structured maintenance and fitting regime is now in place, and a rolling refresh/refit programme has been implemented.

Procurement and contracts

We work in partnership with many valued suppliers who are procured, with the support of BlueLight Commercial, to deliver a wide range of contracts, totalling £19.29m each year.

Unsurprisingly, our greatest contract spend is for the maintenance of our fleet. Suppliers delivering contracts with an annual value of £100k or more are listed in the table.

Lower value, but significant, contracts included the supply of:

Aviation command and aircraft navigation system (ACANS)
In-service support for fixed wing and ground station mission system software
Fixed wing MX10 camera support and maintenance
Service, maintenance and purchase of aircrew helmets

1 At year end the tender evaluation and award report was awaiting approval from WYCA to enable new, replacement fuel contracts to commence, with an initial core term of three years plus a two year extension option

2 The timeline of the fleet replacement project means that negotiations are about to commence with Babcock International over a further 12 month access to the EC135 and EC145 simulators.

Contracts with annual value over £100k (text only)

Rotary aircraft maintenance, continuing airworthiness management, spare parts, engine support aircraft modifications: supplier AHUK, start date 01/05/2019, end date 30/09/2024 (option to extend to 30/09/2026)
Aviation fuel supply: supplier various, start date 11/05/2018, end date 27/05/2023 (note 1)
Provision of fixed wing maintenance, continuing airworthiness management and spare parts: supplier GAMA Aviation (Engineering) Ltd, start date 01/07/2022, end date 31/03/2024
Provision of Tetra air to ground radio device maintenance and repair goods and services: supplier Chelton Ltd trading as Cobham Aerospace Connectivity, start date 01/01/2020, end date 31/12/2023
Fixed wing mission equipment extended warranty: supplier Airborne Technologies, start date 01/10/2022, end date 30/09/2024
Freelance pilotage: supplier various, start date 01/08/2015, no end date
Flight simulator training devices: supplier Babcock, start date 01/12/2022, end date 31/08/2023 (note 2)
Inspection, preventative and remedial maintenance service for fuel farm installations and bowsers: supplier Flofuel, start date 01/09/2022, end date 31/08/2025