Survey Results: Drone Industry & Membership Survey
The survey results of ARPAS-UK’s Drone Industry & Membership Survey, conducted in September of this year, offer a revealing snapshot of the UK’s commercial drone landscape.
With responses from both members and the wider drone community, the survey highlights perspectives from across the sector, including drone operators, SMEs, blue light services, academia, and more.
There’s still time to make your voice heard.
The survey remains open, and we’ll be updating our findings in February 2025. Share your perspective today and help shape the future of the UK drone industry.
Drone Video Insight: Drones in Offshore Oil & Gas – Photogrammetry
How Drones in Offshore Oil & Gas are Transforming the O&G Industry with Topside Platform Inspections using Photogrammetry and 3D Scanning
This video short features a highlight from one of our ARPAS-UK webinars, where we had the privilege of hosting industry experts James Arnott and Xiang Wong from TEXO DSI Survey & Inspection.
Here, James shares exclusive insights into the impactful work they conduct on offshore oil and gas platforms using drones to capture data. Through advanced photogrammetry and 3D laser scanning, their team creates detailed 3D models of offshore structures, helping to transform visual inspection and asset management in the offshore oil and gas sector.
By providing more complete and accurate representation of the platform’s structure, including hard to reach areas, drone inspections are making offshore platform topside inspections safer, faster and more cost-effective.
Why Drones Are a Game-Changer:
List itemAccess hard-to-reach or hazardous areas with ease
Capture detailed images
Save time and money compared to traditional inspection methods
Learn More About:
The transformative role of drones in offshore oil & gas platform topside inspections
How Photogrammetry and laser scanning work together for comprehensive insights
The technology making inspections safer, faster, more informative, and more cost-effective
CAA 2025/26 Scheme of charges: major increases on UAS. More complex, more costly… Clarification and staunch response by Jan 6 2025
The CAA launched their consultation on their proposals for revisions to the existing UK Civil Aviation Authority CAA 2025/26 Scheme of charges, due to take effect from 1 April 2025.
Our preliminary analysis indicates major/ massive increases on all charges related to UAS.
· Fee Increases for PDRA-01: We have already expressed concern informally to the CAA over the proposed increase from £234 to £500 and its potential impact on operators, particularly given the significant role PDRA-01 plays in enabling safe and efficient operations for 95% of specific category operators.
· All other fees in the Scheme of Charge: we will seek clarification on the rationale for all charges increases and exact scope of application, in order to push back and formally respond to the consultation by Jan 6.
· Transition from PDRA01 to SORA? The recent CAA PDRA survey could suggest an intent to phase out PDRAs entirely, whereas the Charging Consultation mentions exploring additional PDRAs. We have already raised that point informally, and we will seek further clarification on the long-term plans for PDRAs in our Regulations Position Paper #2, due end November, that we will share with our Members and more importantly with the CAA and DfT.
· The Need for Additional PDRAs and SORAs: ARPAS-UK has reinforced the need for more predefined risk assessments (PDRAs) or simplified, generic SORAs to reflect common operational scenarios, such as reduced separation distances, BVLOS with visual observers, increased height limits. If there is no class-marking of drones in the UK in the Open category, why not develop asap new PDRAs that would function like A1 and/or A2 for reduced distances from uninvolved people, including in urban environments?
The transition to the SORA safety methodology will create lots of changes. The objective must be efficiency and proportionality, not complexity to a point that both the drone operators’ teams and the regulator’s teams need much more time to formulate and assess applications, translating into hikes in charging fees.
We recognise the importance of a feedback loop with the CAA during this period of change and are committed to advocating for solutions that balance safety with practicality – and proportionality.
Please don’t hesitate to share any thoughts or concerns with us as we continue to represent the interests of the membership.
The Scheme of Charges consultation is accessible through the link below:
ARPAS-UK has today published its first Drone in Action Report. The purpose of this guide is to provide examples which demonstrate the range of benefits and financial savings that can be achieved by the safe adoption of Drones.
Graham Brown, Chair of ARPAS-UK says, “When applied, drones are faster, cheaper, safer and greener than other solutions for the same job. We want businesses, as well as the general public, to understand the immense benefit of drones and understand that there will be positive adoption over the coming years.”
Innovation with drones reshapes industries, tackling environmental, efficiency, cost, and safety issues, paving the sustainable future path.
In the dynamic landscape of technological advancement, the safe adoption of drone technology stands as a testament to innovation, human ingenuity and its capacity to redefine and improve industrial operations. This report examines a collection of use cases across a spectrum of sectors, each showcasing the transformative impact of drones. From asset and building inspection to the precision agriculture fields to the complex infrastructures of oil and gas platforms, we explore how uncrewed aerial vehicles or drones are not just enhancing operational efficiency but also creating the path towards a safer, more sustainable future.
Author: Mohammed Hasan Support by: Graham Brown, Anne-Lise Scallierez, Aleksander Kowalski, Chris Daniels, Sarah Lay, David Thurston, Rupert Dent, Elena Major, Annabel Worthington, Ashna Sharma, Dylan Brooks & Prajjwal Roy Graphics: Sam Barrett, Manna & Canva
Qomodo: Bracing for Stricter Cyber Security Standards in Dual-Use UAVs
This blog is written for organisations and professionals navigating the evolving regulatory landscape for drones in critical sectors, offering insights into how new UK, EU, and US standards are shaping UAV cyber security requirements.
The rapid expansion of drone technology is reshaping whole industries such as defence, critical infrastructure, and emergency services;, however, this expansion demands an equally fast response in regulatory oversight, especially concerning cybersecurity and supply chain integrity. In the UK and Europe, regulatory developments are intensifying as lawmakers respond to the risks and potential vulnerabilities drones introduce, there’s also the additional influences of established US frameworks, such as the Blue UAS and Green UAS programs that are worth considering and will be explored below. These programs in the U.S. prevent certain foreign technologies, including semiconductors from restricted nation-states, from being used in drones within national security, defence, and critical infrastructure.
The Current Regulatory Landscape
European NIS2 Directive
The NIS2 Directive aims to strengthen cybersecurity across the EU, focusing on sectors of essential services, including energy, transport, and digital infrastructure (critical infrastructure). Enacted in early 2023, NIS2 mandates all EU member states to integrate these standards into national laws by October 2024.
This directive potentially imposes stringent cybersecurity standards for industries using ‘connected’ drones in critical infrastructure, including risk management protocols, vulnerability assessments, and mandatory incident reporting within 24-72 hours. NIS2, while not UAV-specific, brings drones under its scope in any industry where they serve critical functions.
UK Cyber Security and Resilience Bill
The UK Cyber Security and Resilience Bill is a significant upcoming regulation expected to come into force in 2025. This bill will likely include strict cybersecurity guidelines, secure supply chain requirements, and reporting mandates for sectors where drones are increasingly deployed such as transport, energy, and health.. Though details are still unfolding, this bill reflects the UK’s alignment with EU cybersecurity standards and will become a pivotal law for any organisation using UAVs in critical sectors.
EU Cyber Resilience Act (EU CRA)
The EU Cyber Resilience Act passed in 2023 and anticipated to be enforceable by 2025, sets requirements for the cybersecurity of connected devices across industries. Though not UAV-focused, it covers all devices communicating within a network, including drones used in sensitive sectors. The CRA mandates secure-by-design principles, continuous patching, and risk assessments throughout a device’s lifecycle, ensuring that UAVs used in critical industries maintain a high level of cybersecurity.
The US Influence: Blue UAS and Green UAS Programs
The Blue UAS and Green UAS programs, led by the U.S. Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), set high security and sourcing standards for drones in U.S. defence and critical infrastructure. Specifically, they ensure that drones meet rigorous cybersecurity and supply chain requirements, preventing drones containing semiconductors and components from restricted nation-states from entering US markets for national security uses. The focus on sourcing transparency and third-party testing reduces the risk of foreign influence and data compromise.
Driven by similar national security and geopolitical concerns, the UK and Europe are gradually adopting comparable standards, recognising the importance of secure sourcing and strong threat mitigation as drones take on increasingly critical roles in high-stakes sectors.
Emerging Regulatory Trends and Geopolitical Impacts
The UK and EU are intensifying regulatory efforts to secure UAVs, driven by geopolitical tensions, technological advances, and the growing role of drones in critical sectors. Key trends include:
Enhanced Cybersecurity Requirements: With drones playing critical roles, the UK and EU are focusing on cybersecurity standards that require vulnerability assessments, real-time monitoring, and advanced threat detection.
Supply Chain Security: Reflecting the U.S. programs, the UK and EU are pushing for transparency in supply chains, especially to prevent drones from relying on components sourced from certain foreign suppliers. This approach minimises the risk of nation-state influence and helps ensure the operational integrity of drones.
Mandatory Incident Reporting: Both the UK’s Cyber Security and Resilience Bill and the EU’s NIS2 Directive emphasise quick incident reporting, allowing industries to address cybersecurity breaches before they escalate. This shift helps secure cross-border operations and ensures a unified response to potential threats.
Preparing for Future UAV Regulations
To stay compliant and competitive, organisations leveraging drones in critical sectors should take proactive steps to prepare for incoming regulatory requirements, these include:
Comprehensive Cybersecurity Assessment: Assess UAV operations for cybersecurity vulnerabilities, implementing robust threat detection and response measures when out in the wild, as well as on return from operation.
Supply Chain Vetting: Verify that UAV components are sourced from compliant, secure suppliers. Emulate the US approach of sourcing restrictions to avoid risks associated with components from restricted nation-states.
Enhanced Incident Reporting Capabilities: Set up protocols for prompt incident reporting, ensuring compliance with NIS2, the Cyber Resilience Act, and the UK Cyber Security and Resilience Bill’s upcoming requirements.
Conclusion
The demand for secure, resilient drone operations will only increase as regulations continue to evolve, positioning UAVs as crucial assets that must adhere to the highest security standards. As the UK and EU approach US-level security measures for drones, the regulatory environment is becoming more stringent, driven by cybersecurity concerns and global political shifts. With frameworks like the NIS2 Directive and Cyber Resilience Act coming into enforcement within the next year or so, UAV operators across critical sectors should look to prioritise cybersecurity, secure sourcing, and compliance now to stay ahead and maintain seamless business operations.
The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) has commissioned a review of Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) to support low-carbon science research for the environment.
The report, co-authored by experts from eight NERC centres, highlights the role of UAS in reducing carbon emissions and advancing environmental science. Key recommendations include investing in UAS technology and addressing barriers to its use. The report also features case studies demonstrating the benefits of UAS in various applications. Two projects have been funded to implement these recommendations, focusing on geophysical data collection and mapping underwater environments.
To overcome key barriers, the report makes the following recommendations:
To overcome regulatory barriers
To build capacity and capability
To encourage the most fruitful technology development and integration
To strengthen trust in the veracity of measurements
To facilitate data uptake by third-party-users
I’m hugely grateful to all those who were involved in contributing to this report. It offers a valuable and comprehensive roadmap for advancing the use and capabilities of UAS to support new insights across the environmental sciences and doing so in a way to reduce the carbon emissions in field research. The report contains some important recommendations and fascinating case studies on the use of UAS in a wide range of environmental science applications.
Linked to this scoping study, NERC has recently funded two projects that will begin delivering on some of the key recommendations of the report.
These projects are as follows:
Net zero aerial capability for geophysical sensing (NZArC GeoSen), Led by Luke Bateson, BGS
This project, delivered in collaboration with BAS, will establish the capability to characterise the shallow subsurface through geophysical data collected by UAS will provide valuable insights into geological structures, hydrogeological processes, and the impact of climate change.
By developing two complementary capabilities, the project will enable high-resolution, low-cost data collection. The two complementary capabilities are:
for local 3D subsurface imaging in the UK using time-domain electromagnetics
for large-scale ice thickness measurements in Antarctica using ice-penetrating radar
Current geophysical sensing technology relies on larger aircraft or ground vehicles, which aren’t suited for low-carbon, drone-based systems.
NZArC GeoSen aims to change that by developing new technology that works with UAS, helping to reduce carbon emissions.
Testing in Antarctica, where rules for flying drones are more flexible, will help create procedures that could eventually lead to changes in UK regulations.
A remotely piloted aerial Green LiDAR for mapping bathymetry of shallow waters and elevation of boundary land, Led by Aser Mata, PML
This project is delivered in collaboration with BGS, NOC, SAMS and UKCEH and aims to revolutionise how underwater environments, particularly shallow waters like river sections and coastal areas, are mapped.
Mapping of shallow waters is vital for studying blue carbon habitats such as mangroves, seagrasses, and tidal marshes as these are some of the most efficient natural carbon sinks on Earth.
These habitats store and sequester carbon at rates far exceeding tropical forests but mapping their underwater terrain (bathymetry) and estimating carbon storage has been a major challenge.
The project will use a novel sensor, designed for both topographic and bathymetric surveys, for mapping underwater environments that are hard to reach, and this will be mounted on a low carbon UAS platform.
This research will have reduced carbon footprint compared to if delivered via a traditional aircraft so will enable faster, more accurate data collection with less environmental impact.
