Maritime Coastguard Agency and National Police Air Service Trials of medium-altitude long-endurance uncrewed air system (UAS) in UK Airspace.
We delivered operational expertise to support multiple elements of an innovative trial of RPAS to enhance search and rescue (SAR) capabilities in UK and international airspace.
Our support included:
Requirements capture informing trial planning
We undertook months of critical planning activity to ensure the desired trial outcomes were fully captured. We also developed the concept of operations and standard operating procedures to provide the framework for operations.
Stakeholder coordination
Our team played a crucial role in identifying and engaging with a wide variety of stakeholders and were integral to facilitating the trial permissions required.
Trial scenario design
We designed multiple mission scenarios of increasing complexity to demonstrate how a UAS could be used by both agencies, including operating BVLOS in unsegregated and uncontrolled airspace. These scenarios aimed to prove the UAS could operate safely and effectively at long ranges whilst sharing the airspace with other users, which would be essential for future integrated SAR support efforts.
Trial data capture
Collaborating with multiple agencies, we produced a detailed trial plan to support, coordinate and underpin all activity within the demonstration. We then monitored and coordinated the trial elements whilst recording all available data. After each mission we evaluated all learning points, ensuring these were recognised, captured and critically assessed by all involved before the next event.
Integration with crewed and uncrewed rescue assets
A significant element of the demonstration was an Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) and Traffic Collision Awareness System trial involving both crewed and uncrewed aircraft. We designed and managed serials to demonstrate how ADS-B could support safe deconfliction between UAS and crewed assets within the same airspace.
Capability development
We created a comprehensive summary of all trial activity to provide a body of evidence to support future BVLOS capability developments.
