National Police Air Service (NPAS)

NATS provided airspace design and traffic management services, including activation protocols for the TRA and integration with UK Flight Information Services. We introduced dynamic separation measures and ensured that NPAS could operate Large Uncrewed Aircraft alongside helicopters without compromising safety and tested essential detect and avoid systems.

Procedures were validated through live flights that took place during the busiest times of the day to test the ability of delivering emergency services alongside civil aviation. Multi agency exercises tested search and rescue techniques, using onboard imaging and detect and avoid systems.

By leveraging the CAA Sandbox, we validated procedures that could inform future policy and enable wider adoption of uncrewed aircraft in emergency services.

The NPAS BVLOS trial represents one of the UK’s most ambitious steps toward integrating Large Uncrewed Aircraft into mainstream aviation to enhance public safety. It demonstrated that high-endurance Remotely Piloted Aircraft System:

• could potentially complement existing fleets;
• offer longer operational windows; and,
• reduce emissions by up to 98% per hour compared to helicopters.

The project delivered critical data for shaping national policy on BVLOS operations and proved that cross-sector collaboration—between NPAS, NATS, CAA, and industry partners—can advance innovation safely. Looking ahead, these trials pave the way for a future where emergency services deploy blended fleets that improve responsiveness, reduce costs, and enhance public safety.