Futures and innovation: Uncrewed aircraft trials

In February 2025, we announced that we would be working with global air systems manufacturer Schiebel on trials of 'Beyond the Visual Line of Sight' (BVLOS) uncrewed aircraft.

The trials - which had previously been awarded a place in the Civil Aviation Authority's {CAA) BVLOS integration sandbox - are designed to evaluate the feasibility of using uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) to work alongside crewed police helicopters and aeroplanes in support of policing operations.

The first scheduled flight is anticipated in summer 2025.

The trials will determine if advancements in aviation technology can bring future benefits to policing and, if they can, how they could be safely introduced into UK airspace.

Schiebel will be flying the CAMCOPTER S-100, which is already used by over 40 organisations worldwide, in a carefully selected and controlled environment.

They have joined the National Air Traffic Control Service (NATS) as part of the team supporting the NPAS Futures and Innovation team with the trials, which are funded by the Home Office.

After extensive consultation, an area in the Severn estuary, in South West England, was selected for the trial flights, away from any built-up environments.

To reach this point in the project, NPAS spent months building a robust safety case, which has included testing a 'detect and avoid' solution, to ensure the trial can operate safely and with minimum disruption to the public and other airspace users.

"We cannot predict the outcome of the trial, but it is imperative we deliver the same, or improved, capability that we have today with our crewed aircraft," said NPAS Head of Futures and Innovation David Walters.

''The desired outcome is to be able to offer police forces in England and Wales a way of supporting their operations in an even more flexible way, with a continued emphasis on public safety."