Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of the uncrewed aircraft trials?

As technology advances, so too do the opportunities for police air support. This trial will be operating uncrewed aircraft capable of staying airborne for up to six hours and fitted with mission equipment comparable to those on the existing NPAS fleet. If trials are successful, this will enable delivery of a highly capable and sustainable blended fleet of police helicopters, aeroplanes and uncrewed aircraft in future years.

What do you plan to test in the trials?

We are trialling the viability of delivering police air support remotely. We want to fully understand the capabilities of the technology and how it might support policing in the future, in terms of effectiveness and efficiency.

We also want to learn how uncrewed aircraft might work alongside, and complement, the airborne crews of police helicopters and aeroplanes - recognising both resources have their strengths and limitations, depending on a number of different scenarios.  

We want to test the use of uncrewed aircraft and mission equipment in different, synthetic, 'search and follow-type' taskings and compare the benefits of having three pairs of experienced eyes in the sky against the economic and environmental opportunities that uncrewed aircraft might bring.

We will also consider the human impact of operating an uncrewed aircraft from inside a base, compared to flying in a helicopter and aeroplane, looking at issues such as fatigue.

Is an uncrewed aircraft the same as a drone?

In theory, yes.

A drone is described as a small aircraft which is controlled by someone on the ground.

However, people most commonly think of a drone as the type you buy in a box, used by hobbyists. Or the kind currently used by police forces and other emergency services. Regulations state that when flown, these types of drone must remain within the sight of the controller at all times.

The type of aircraft we will be trialling is much larger, with the ability to carry similar mission equipment to a current police helicopter. It will be able to fly beyond the sight of the controller. This is known as a 'BVLOS' platform - or Beyond the Visual Line of Sight.

An uncrewed aircraft of this type is not currently approved for flying in UK airspace, which is why we are delighted to be working alongside the regulatory Civil Aviation Authority in testing the concept.

What size, in dimension and weight, are the uncrewed aircraft you will be trialling?

The weight of the uncrewed aircraft will depend on the mission equipment it carries. This is known as 'payload'. The most critical piece of equipment will be the camera. We will be testing different types of camera on the aircraft.

The maximum take-off weight for the type of aircraft we plan to trial will be 200 kilograms, which is equivalent to around 100 standard bricks or a basic motorbike.

Its dimensions, including the rotor blades, will be 3.1 metres in length, 1.2 metres wide and 1.1 metres high.

The rotor diameter will be 3.4 metres.

How far, high, long and fast will the uncrewed aircraft operate?

The type of uncrewed aircraft we will be trialling will be able to fly at a maximum height of 18,000ft and travel at an air speed of around 100 knots, which is equivalent to about 115 mph.

The distance it can travel in a single flight will very much depend on the payload it is carrying, but we anticipate the aircraft will have the capability of staying airborne for up to six hours.

How much does one uncrewed aircraft cost?

It is not possible to say at the moment. We are not purchasing any aircraft or mission equipment for the trials.

Technology is advancing all the time, especially in the development of drone capabilities.

The type of uncrewed aircraft we are trialling is a single-engine aircraft. The trials will take place over open land and water in the South West region of England. This is because, like the regulations for traditional aircraft with an onboard pilot, only twin-engine aircraft are currently permitted to fly over built-up areas.

The specified twin-engine aircraft we would need for an operational fleet, if trials are successful, is still in development and not yet commercially available.

Will uncrewed aircraft be replacing police helicopters?

Our vision is to build a sustainable 'blended' national fleet of crewed and uncrewed aircraft which exploits the latest technology and offers the greatest capabilities to meet the demands of policing across the diverse landscapes of England and Wales.

We anticipate that uncrewed aircraft will, one day, have an important place in police aviation but will not replace the need for traditional aircraft crewed by skilled and experience police staff and officers. Crewed and uncrewed aircraft are very different resources.

These trials are about designing a modern, innovative, best value police aviation service in which the most effective tool for the job is available for deployment, at the right time and in the right place.

Who will pay for the uncrewed aircraft?

We are still very much in the early stages of planning trials to test the concept of uncrewed aircraft as part of a national fleet.

At the moment, our national police aviation service is primarily funded through contributions by all police forces in England and Wales, plus capital funding from the Home Office.

How many do you plan to have?

Until the outcome of the trials is known, it is not possible to say. The plans have not yet extended beyond the trials in 2025.

Only after we know whether the concept is proven, will be seek to develop the plans further.

Where will they operate from?

For the purpose of the trials, we will only be operating from one existing NPAS base in the South West region. The area was selected for its open spaces and close proximity to water. We continue to work closely with our valued partners at the national air traffic control service NATS to ensure we have the necessary approvals to operate safely in a designated air space.

Only after we know whether the concept is proven, will be seek to develop the plans further.

Will forces get their own uncrewed aircraft?

The trials are very much focused on testing the concept of uncrewed aircraft as part of a nationally-run fleet, operated by NPAS-trained and qualified pilots and Tactical Flight Officers. Currently, police forces do not have the infrastructure or experienced personnel to operate the type of BVLOS uncrewed aircraft that we are planning to trial, to meet the expectations of the Civil Aviation Authority. 

What equipment will they carry?

We will be trialling a range of mission equipment (very similar to that carried by our helicopters and aeroplanes now), fixed to the uncrewed aircraft, including camera and thermal imaging equipment and powerful search lights.

How noisy is the uncrewed aircraft?

They are quieter than a helicopter. If you are within 25 metres of an uncrewed aircraft, the noise is around 80 decibels, which is equivalent to a hairdryer.

What safeguarding measures are in place for a mechanical or battery failure or loss of communication with an uncrewed aircraft?

Public safety is always our number one priority.

We are proud of our safety culture and the reputation we have earned within the aviation industry for our approach to risk management.

The location for our trials is specifically selected with safety in mind. We will NOT be flying the aircraft over built-up areas. The aircraft will include several safety mitigations, including multiple command and control and communication channels and be operated under the supervision and approval of the UK Civil Aviation Authority.

Who will operate the uncrewed aircraft and what training or qualifications will they need?

For the purposes of the trials, pilots will be provided by the supplier of the aircraft. NPAS's aviators will also have the opportunity to operate them in the later stages of trials, whilst shadowed by the manufacturer.

If the concept is proven and uncrewed aircraft are eventually introduced to the national fleet, we envisage them being operated from existing NPAS bases by our trained NPAS pilots, supported by our Tactical Flight Officers, using their experience and knowledge of search and follow tactics.  

Our pilots are highly trained and qualified in reading airspace and communicating with other airspace users - a skill which they have developed over many years of experience. They would require 'conversion-type' training which would, most likely, be delivered by the aircraft supplier.

What weather conditions can an uncrewed aircraft fly/not fly in?

Flying at a safe height, with the ground in sight of the camera, the uncrewed aircraft can fly in a windspeed of up to 35 knots and in temperatures from -28 to +45 degrees Celsius.

What regulations and privacy rules will the uncrewed aircraft have to comply with?

All our air operations comply with current privacy legislation as well as industry regulations set by the Civil Aviation Authority.

During the trials, we will be designing synthetic taskings. We will NOT be deploying the trial aircraft to live tasks. Therefore, should any images of people be captured, they will not be retained or shared, for any purpose.

Any data captured by the aircraft will be transmitted on encrypted channels.