NPAS Partners with Schiebel for Groundbreaking BVLOS Trials

The National Police Air Service (NPAS) has enlisted the expertise of Schiebel, a leading global manufacturer, to conduct its most ambitious trial of Beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations involving uncrewed aircraft.

Trial Overview and Objectives

Set to take place in 2024, this trial has successfully secured a position within the Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) BVLOS integration sandbox. The primary goal is to assess the viability of integrating uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) alongside traditional crewed police helicopters and planes, enhancing policing efforts across England and Wales.

David Walters, NPAS head of Futures and Innovation, emphasized that the trial aims to explore how advancements in aviation technology can be harnessed to benefit policing in the future, while ensuring safe integration into UK airspace.

Integration and Safety Measures

“We will assess how uncrewed aircraft can be incorporated into the current NPAS operational framework, under the supervision of our CAA-approved Accountable manager and Form 4 certificate-holders, who are responsible for maintaining safe police air operations throughout England and Wales,” Walters stated.

As part of this initiative, Schiebel will deploy the CAMCOPTER S-100 in a meticulously controlled environment to evaluate its capabilities, contributing to the vision of a future mixed fleet operated by NPAS.

Schiebel’s Expertise and Global Reach

Neil Hunter, Head of Global Sales at Schiebel, remarked, “The CAMCOPTER S-100 is currently in operation with over 40 clients worldwide, including the UK Royal Navy.Its exceptional capabilities make it the perfect choice for this trial.”

“Schiebel is committed to leading the charge in UAS technology globally and is actively working to expand its presence in the commercial sector. In Western Europe, we have secured contracts with the European Maritime Safety Agency and Bristow Group for their UK Search and rescue operations.Being selected for this innovative NPAS trial underscores the S-100’s proven track record and reliability,” he added.

Collaboration and Future Plans

Schiebel will collaborate with the National Air Traffic Control Service (NATS) to support the NPAS Futures and Innovation team during the trial, which is funded by the Home Office and is expected to commence its first test flight in the summer of 2025.

Following extensive consultations, the Severn estuary in South West England has been designated as the trial flight area, chosen for its distance from populated regions.

Safety Protocols and Expected Outcomes

Over the past two years, NPAS has been developing a comprehensive safety framework, which includes testing a ‘detect and avoid’ system to ensure the trial can proceed safely with minimal disruption to the public and other airspace users.

In addition to assessing the operational capabilities for policing, the trial will also evaluate the effectiveness of the ‘detect and avoid’ technology.

About the National Police Air Service

Established in 2012, the NPAS was created through a collaboration of all police forces in England and Wales to provide efficient, seamless air support. With a fleet comprising 19 helicopters and four airplanes operating from 15 regional bases,the service responds to approximately 100 calls for assistance daily.

Air support missions typically include high-risk missing person searches, vehicle pursuits, firearms containment, public order management, intelligence gathering, counter-terrorism efforts, major incident responses, and aerial searches.

Walters concluded, “While we cannot predict the trial’s outcome, it is crucial that we maintain or enhance the capabilities we currently have with our crewed aircraft. our goal is to provide police forces in england and Wales with a more flexible operational support system, always prioritizing public safety.”