National Police Air Service launches first BVLOS drone flight trials

The National Police Air Service (NPAS) has begun its first series of trial flights using a Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) uncrewed aircraft system (UAS), marking a significant step toward the future of police air support across England and Wales.

Funded by the UK Home Office, the trials aim to assess how BVLOS technology could complement the existing fleet of police helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, offering greater operational flexibility, improved sustainability, and cost efficiencies.

The project uses the CAMCOPTER S-100 system, supplied by manufacturer Schiebel. According to Neil Hunter, Schiebel’s Head of Global Sales, the aircraft’s proven performance and high-resolution sensor capability could provide “a powerful advantage in law enforcement missions across the UK.”

Earlier this year, NPAS secured a place in the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) BVLOS Integration Sandbox, a controlled environment for testing new aviation technologies. The trials are part of NPAS’s Futures and Innovation Programme, which explores emerging technologies to enhance operational effectiveness while reducing environmental impact.

David Walters, NPAS Head of Futures and Innovation, said the trials will evaluate uncrewed aircraft capable of flying for up to six hours, with mission systems comparable to those on current manned aircraft. “If successful, this could pave the way for a highly capable and sustainable blended fleet of helicopters, aeroplanes and uncrewed aircraft,” he said.

The initial phase will take place in a CAA-approved Temporary Danger Area over the Severn Estuary, before moving to a Temporary Reserved Area later in the year. Operations will be conducted at night, over open land and water, away from built-up areas, and in coordination with NATS air traffic control in Cardiff.

CAA Director of Future of Flight, Sophie O’Sullivan, said the data from these trials will help shape future aviation policy and accelerate the safe integration of drone technology into emergency service operations. NATS Head of New Airspace Users Accounts and Partnerships, Mark Balsdon, added that the project offers another opportunity to demonstrate how drones can be safely integrated into UK airspace.

The trials will run from July 2025, with objectives including assessing remote air support delivery, comparing crewed and uncrewed operations, and testing advanced mission equipment such as cameras, thermal imaging and searchlights.

The industry will once again be gathering at the NEC, Birmingham for The Emergency Services Show, co-located with The Emergency Tech Show, on 17-18 September, check out the full exhibitor list here. 

You can learn more about the BVLOS trials when speakers from the CAA join the Emergency Tech Leaders’ Stage as part of a special hour dedicated to drones and uncrewed aircraft.