Projects
Operating a police aviation service involves much more than just putting aircraft in the sky.
Our teams need the best equipment to work collaboratively, gather evidence, communicate and stay safe, which is why our Project Delivery Team is an integral part of our service.
The team has a wide scope, from arranging upgrades and the replacement of aircraft equipment, to managing major improvements within our base infrastructure. We refer to this work as ‘keeping the show in the air.’
The next five years will see a change in the size and complexity of projects undertaken by NPAS, as we address emerging obsolescence issues across the existing fleet, introduce new aircraft, implement replacement communications systems and procure rotary and fixed wing maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) contracts, alongside trialling new technologies.
Our new NPAS Head of Projects was appointed in November 2023 and has responsibility for building the project management capability needed to deliver this growing portfolio of work.
He gained approval in March 2024 to implement an enhanced and rigorous project governance framework.
Keeping a large fleet of specialist aircraft up to date and fit for purpose involves specialist skills, experience and coordination of many teams, inside and outside of NPAS.
Here are some of the key projects delivered in 2023/24 as part of our ‘keeping the show in the air’ and ‘major change’ projects.
Keeping the show in the air
East Midlands Airport
We established a new NPAS base at East Midlands Airport at the end of 2023, and saw the fixed wing teams resume operational flying from there in early 2024.
Base improvement programme
Minor refurbishment was undertaken at Husbands Bosworth and planning began for a full site refurbishment of our Birmingham base in September 2024, plus major building work at NPAS Lippitts Hill in July 2024.
Skyforce Observer upgrade
The mapping system which is installed in the EC145s and EC135 P2 type of aircraft was successfully upgraded to a newer version. This provides a faster and more accurate search function.
T.AGG upgrade
The units installed in the fixed wing and EC135 T2 aircraft to provide a mobile data and Wi-Fi hotspot service were updated to allow access to the internet and West Yorkshire Police IT systems, through Microsoft Azure. The AIMS mission system installed in these aircraft now also runs on the Microsoft Windows 10 operating system.
G-POLU helicopter
G-POLU was upgraded and re-introduced back into the NPAS fleet, allowing it to be assigned to future tactical flight officer and pilot training. The work included the installation of CVFDR (Cockpit Voice & Flight Data Recorders, including camera), height-adjustable seats for the pilots, iPad connectivity and standardisation of the landing light.
Drones Restricted Airspace
Work began with the Civil Aviation Authority for restricted airspace to be implemented around four bases that are not licensed aerodromes. This will ensure a safer operating environment as drones will not be permitted unless authorised by the NPAS Operations Centre.
Major change projects
Obsolescence
A major review of aircraft systems and HQ infrastructure began in February 2024. The findings will inform future project work in 2024 and beyond.
Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO)
The existing fixed wing aircraft MRO contract with GAMA Aviation was extended for a further two years (starting 1 April 2024) following a successful procurement exercise led by Blue Light Commercial (BLC). Negotiations continue with Airbus UK to extend the existing rotary MRO contract.
Fleet replacement programme
In 2023/24, BlueLight Commercial adopted the role as the Contracting Authority for the procurement of a replacement fleet of helicopters for NPAS.
Introductory meetings with suppliers began in the autumn of 2023 to discuss the terms and conditions of the procurement process.
At the time of writing, the procurement process remained at a commercially sensitive stage, with tenders having been submitted for consideration.
It is anticipated that a contract will be awarded in 2025.
At the year end, £30.8 million was held in NPAS reserves towards the cost of the fleet replacement programme. This was accrued through Home Office funding and contributions from forces.
Exploring the opportunities to expand a blended fleet
Plans to explore the feasibility of a blended fleet of crewed and uncrewed aircraft to deliver future national police air support gathered pace in 2023/24.
This work is being funded by the Home Office.
National Air Traffic Services (NATS) was appointed to support the development of an application to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for planned trial flights of Beyond the Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) uncrewed aircraft. These will be operated from an existing NPAS air base.
The NPAS Futures and Innovation Team continued to work with the CAA Innovation Team to identify suitable areas in which to operate flight trials. and select an appropriate platform to test, via a tender process managed by BlueLight Commercial. The Ministry of Defence’s ‘Defence Laboratory’ was also engaged to undertake proof of concept testing on radar equipment for use as a ‘detect and avoid’ system.
Full trials are expected to start in May 2025 and last six months. They will seek to test and verify:
The feasibility and success rate of remotely piloting an uncrewed aircraft from an NPAS base.
The capabilities of ‘detect and avoid’ radar technologies to enable safe integration into UK airspace.
coordinate with multiple agencies, is exemplary