First Flights of Dragon Drone at Snowdonia Aerospace Centre
Snowdonia Aerospace is pleased to announce the successful first flights of their new Dragon drone at the Snowdonia Aerospace Centre, Llanbedr, last week.
Working in partnership with SwiftFlight Avionics and supported by Innovate UK Future Flight Challenge grant funding, the Dragon drone will be a major research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&E) platform for demonstrating the safe integration of drones into UK airspace for regular and routine beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations. Further flight envelope expansion and capability development activities will continue over the summer at the Snowdonia Aerospace Centre (SAC), which offers the only dedicated commercially-run, permanent Danger Area for drone testing in the UK.
The Dragon drone is equipped with an Echodyne airborne detect-and-avoid radar and Uavionix electronic conspicuity devices and will use the unique test environment at SAC to demonstrate integration with the ground-based Altitude Angel Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) system and the potential for further integration with the UK 5G network in partnership with Virgin Media O2.
The Dragon also has the capacity to accommodate a further 5kg mass / 10 litres volume of third party payloads either in the nose or in a ventral pod for experimental test purposes. The maximum take-off weight is 55kg and endurance for RDT&E activities will be 2 to 4 hours depending on payload.
As well as the necessary technical developments to ensure safe BVLOS operation, Snowdonia Aerospace is also working with NHS Wales and a number of blue light and emergency services (including mountain rescue) to establish how drones can effectively contribute to supporting / working in parallel with these services whilst also delivering economic and societal benefit across Wales and beyond.
Lee Paul, Chief Executive Officer of Snowdonia Aerospace, said:
This is a great milestone passed and we look forward to regular BVLOS flights from later this month and engaging with others companies / operators who may wish to test their equipment /payloads along with taking advantage of our unique new Danger Area at the Snowdonia Aerospace Centre.
Snowdonia Aerospace is an ARPAS-UK Member.
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Future Flight Webinar Series: The Role of Local Authorities in Future Flight
Local Authorities are a key enabler to the success of the Future Flight Challenge and delivering the aviation system of the future. In this panel discussion, we will explore the role of Local Authorities in transport innovation projects and how innovators can engage with Local Authorities.
Snowdonia Aerospace Centre to Deploy Altitude Angel’s GuardianUTM Enterprise Platform
London, UK: Altitude Angel, the world’s leading UTM (Unified Traffic Management) technology provider, today announced the s (SAC) has become the second UK airport to deploy its GuardianUTM Enterprise platform.
ARPAS-UK Member, the Snowdonia Aerospace Centre, in Gwynedd, Wales, is one of Europe’s foremost commercial test centres for next-generation aerospace and future flight systems such as drones, electric aircraft, urban and regional air mobility vehicles, balloons, airships and near-space testing vehicles.
Launched in March this year, GuardianUTM Enterprise is an intuitive, cost-effective platform which has been developed to support regional and local airports and airfields to manage on and off-site drone operations.
GuardianUTM Enterprise will provide SAC with a combined view of the airspace in the vicinity of its FRZ (flight restriction zone), enabling the airport to start designing and providing UTM services for drone companies and drone operators, using Altitude Angel’s proven digital authorisation and flight management technology.
Karim Cosslett, Altitude Angel, Regional Sales & Partner Manager, said: “The Snowdonia Aerospace Centre plays a critical role in providing a safe testing and development environment for the next-generation of aerospace and future flight systems. The deployment of GuardianUTM Enterprise allows Snowdonia Aerospace to comprehensively manage all aircraft in its airspace, whether manned or unmanned, and provide a safe, coordinated and efficient place to operate and test.”
Jeremy Howitt, Snowdonia Aerospace Centre, Future Flight Programme Lead, added: “We are pleased to add GuardianUTM Enterprise to the extensive Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) test capabilities at the Snowdonia Aerospace Centre.
“Combined with the airspace change to create a permanent Danger Area, we have an unrivalled operational test environment for customers looking to accelerate the development of their drones, urban air mobility vehicles and other novel aerospace systems. The UTM capability will also form a key element of the layered detect-and-avoid solution that we’re developing under the UK Research & Innovation Future Flight Challenge, allowing us to provide a BVLOS drone service in support of Emergency Services across Wales.”
About Altitude Angel:
Altitude Angel is an award-winning provider of UTM (Unified Traffic Management) software, enabling those planning to operate, or develop UTM/U-Space solutions, to quickly integrate robust data and services with minimum effort.
From a consistent, well-documented and standards-based platform, drone manufacturers such as DJI and cutting-edge software developers around the world use our Developer Platform to obtain rich, relevant and local geofencing data, exchange and share flight plans, de-conflict their own flights in real-time and interface with national flight authorisation systems. A growing portfolio of enhanced capabilities help our customers to comply with current and future regulations and interface with changing national systems with only minimal effort.
Altitude Angel’s first party solutions also power some of the world’s leading ANSPs, aviation authorities and Enterprises, including LVNL (Netherlands) and Avinor (Norway), empowering them with new capabilities to safely manage and integrate drone traffic into national operations.
Today, Altitude Angel’s market-defining technology is providing a critical, enabling service on which the future of UTM, especially in controlled airspace, will be built across the globe.
By unlocking the potential of drones and helping national aviation authorities, ANSPs, developers and enterprise organisations, Altitude Angel is establishing new services to support the growth in the drone industry.
Altitude Angel was founded by Richard Parker in 2014 and is headquartered in Reading, UK.
GuardianUTM enables drone manufacturers and software developers to connect into a rich, dynamic source of accurate, authoritative and relevant information to support geofencing, while offering enhanced UTM capabilities such as a single interface to multi-country flight authorisation.
Its companion product, GuardianUTM O/S, supports all the functionality required to deliver national-grade drone traffic management capabilities to any country that wishes to safely unlock the potential of drones.
11 May 2021
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Ground-breaking drone delivery trial to be hosted at Montrose Port
A UK-first proof of concept trial for the delivery of medical supplies – including Covid-19 test kits – to vessels at sea is to be held at Montrose Port this week.
Project MediDrone, which uses remotely operated unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, was funded by a UK Government innovation grant and will involve the aircraft departing the quayside at Montrose and landing on a vessel offshore.
If successful, the trial could open up the opportunity for Covid-19 tests and other medical supplies to be delivered to and from vessels without them needing to dock or be boarded by harbour pilots, further reducing any risk of infection being brought back to shore and into the community.
The trials are being coordinated by London-based technology firm Neuron Innovations Ltd in partnership with ‘drone-in-a-box’ provider Herotech8 and specialist insurance and risk management company, Flock.
Montrose Port
Weather permitting, the flight will take place at midday on Thursday 29th April 2021.
Niall Greenwood, CEO at Neuron, said that Montrose was chosen for its location, facilities, and the management team’s forward-thinking approach: ‘We are delighted to be leading the Montrose Drone trials, to enable the delivery of medical supplies from shore to ship,” he said.
“Drones offer a much safer, faster, and more cost-effective method of delivery compared with more traditional approaches. By connecting the drone to Neuron’s surveillance network we have made a significant step to enabling these kinds of applications on a routine basis. The data from our networks provide the drone pilot with the ability to remotely observe nearby aircraft so that they can keep the drone safely separated from them”
Herotech8’s ‘drone-in-a-box’ solution comprises an automated recharging station and communication relay which allows the drone to be operated remotely and on-demand by a pilot situated at their offices at Cranfield University. The drone automatically takes off and lands and follows pre-programmed waypoints during its flight. The pilot is there just to monitor the drone during the flight to ensure the safety of the public and other airspace users.
Hamish Murray, Projects Team Leader at Montrose Port Authority, said: “Securing this trial is a unique opportunity for Montrose and adds to the growing list of innovative projects going on within the port and the broader local community. We already work closely with the team behind the proposed Montrose Drone Port and as well as using our quayside for the trials, our pilot boat and other port personnel will also be heavily involved. With our growing reputation within the offshore wind industry, as well as traditional oil and gas and general cargo, we can see drones potentially becoming a common sight in the skies above the port and at sea, and I’m glad that we are able to play such a pivotal role in helping shape the future of this exciting technology.”
Sam Golden at Flock added: “This trial paves the way for widespread use of drones for ship to shore delivery. We are showing how drones can improve safety, cut costs and increase efficiency in ports globally. I’m grateful to the UK government for supporting this trial and to Neuron for bringing together best in class companies to deliver on it. Great things can happen when companies are given the space to collaborate.”
The trial was made possible by a grant from UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI’s) Future Flight Challenge. The consortium’s aim is to demonstrate how the safety and efficiency of ports can be improved using drones to reduce the number of trips to vessels by pilot boats which can take hours to complete and are made dangerous by the crew having to climb a rope ladder from one vessel to another.
26 April 2021
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Future Flight Challenge – Dealing with Complexity
How do we deal with legacy digital systems while we create new infrastructure to handle the rapidly increase of data stream coming in new forms, from an ever-increasing number of sensors?
How do we develop the required mindset to create the transformational change that is needed to build something that is fit for the autonomous, connected and sustainable future we are building today?
In this Future Flight webinar four speakers will discuss how we can deal with complex.
Aligning with International Womens Day, this session will bring together the Future Flight community to discuss both the challenges and opportunities for women in aviation.
As Future Flight continues to push the boundaries of technology, we ask how can it too support in shaping a more equal future.
Future Flight Challenge – Economic Benefits of Future Flight
Kicking off the Future Flight Fridays 2021 series with an introduction from PWC to the recently published Future Flight Challenge socio-economic study which showcases both the potential economic and societal benefits associated with six key use-cases. It will be followed by a panel discussion on cargo drone and AAM (advanced air mobility).
Agenda:
12:00 Introduction – Kerissa Khan, ISCF Future Flight Challenge Innovation Lead, Innovate UK
Kerissa Khan, ISCF Future Flight Challenge Innovation Lead, Innovate UK
Craig Roberts, Drones Lead, PwC
Svilen Rangelov, Co-Founder and CEO, DRONAMICS
Charles Scales, CEO, Windracers
Furqan – GKN Aerospace
Darrell Swanson, Swanson Aviation Consultancy
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Snowdonia Aerospace Future Flight Challenge
Snowdonia Aerospace is pleased to announce that we have received a grant award from UK Research & Innovation for an 18-month drone development programme in partnership with Swiftflight Avionics as part of the UK Future Flight Challenge, a £33.5m element of the Government’s Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund.
The primary objective of our Project “Gold Dragon” is to accelerate development and testing of an active detect-and-avoid solution for light drones, typically less than 150kg take-off weight, enabling their safe and full integration into the UK aviation system. Our aim is to achieve approval for regular and routine beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations in non-segregated airspace by the end of the project so we can start to deliver commercial drone services in Wales and beyond.
We have already built a successful relationship with the Welsh Ambulance Service via our recent proof-of-concept demonstration for delivery of a mini-defibrillator by drone to a remote rural location and will continue to prioritise health services in remote and rural communities as part of this project along with the wider NHS Wales network.
Snowdonia Aerospace has already completed proof-of-concept demonstration for delivery of a mini-defibrillator by drone to a remote rural location
The UK survival rate for an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is only 8.6%. Resuscitation Council guidelines recognise that survival rates of 50 to 70% could be achieved with defibrillation within 3 to 5 minutes of OHCA, but each minute of delay reduces the probability of survival by 10%, and in the UK fewer than 2% of victims have a defibrillator deployed before the ambulance arrives. The situation is most acute in remote and rural locations.
Flight testing in the unique operational environment provided at Snowdonia Aerospace Centre will also allow us to involve other potential emergency response stakeholders such as the Police, Fire, Coastguard, and Mountain Rescue, and we have already begun engagements to capture their key requirements.
Lee Paul, CEO of Snowdonia Aerospace said:
“We are delighted to be awarded funding through the Future Flight Challenge programme. The grant will enable us to continue the development of our proposed drone service provision in support of the NHS and other emergency services initially across Wales. Our earlier work demonstrated the advantages of using drones to support remote and rural areas with the drone covering 4.5km in under 3 minutes compared to an equivalent road journey of 20 minutes. The time saving being critical in cases where early defribilation is required.
As the UKs leading aerospace R&D test centre, the airfields environment, facilities and infrastructure will also support a range of other companies looking to develop their own Future Flight programmes in a safe operating environment and we look forward to working with them also.”
Dr. Phil Geoghegan, MD of Swiftflight Avionics said:
“This project is an exciting application of UAV active sensor technology, with the aim of routine point-to-point BVLOS UAV flight. We see this as a game-changer for UAV operation. We are delighted to be working with the test and evaluation specialists at Snowdonia Aerospace Centre and the Welsh Ambulance Service.”
Councillor Gareth Thomas, Cabinet Member for Economy and Community, Gwynedd Council, said:
“We are delighted to see that the drone technology trialled earlier in the year from Llanbedr to transport medical defibrillators to remote communities will now be further tested for other responses by the emergency services. We also look forward to linking this work to the STEM Gogledd programme, which supports and promotes STEM education across north west Wales”
Dr. Nigel Rees, Head of Research and Innovation for the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust, said:
“The Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust is looking forward to continuing this exciting development which has the potential to improve the care we provide and save lives.”
John Whalley, CEO of Aerospace Wales, said:
“Aerospace Wales is working closely with Welsh Government on the strategy for Future Flight in Wales and we are delighted that Aerospace Wales member, Snowdonia Aerospace, has been successful in its bid to the UK’s Future Flight Challenge phase 2 competition. The “Golden Dragon” project, in partnership with Swiftflight Avionics, builds on the highly successful BVLOS emergency medical response drone trial carried out earlier this year. This continuing development places Snowdonia’s airfield at Llanbedr right at the heart of BVLOS development in the UK.”
Snowdonia Aerospace is an ARPAS-UK Member
11th November 2020
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Dronecloud leads new UKRI Consortium to deliver the integration of software systems required for BVLOS drone flights
Project Rise provides a crucial building-block for the systems needed to unite manned and unmanned aircraft safely in the same airspace.
Project will culminate in field trials of an UAS delivery operation supporting Beyond Visual Line of Sight drone flights at Cranfield University test facility Project received grant of £500,000 from UK Research and Innovation fund as part of Future Flight Challenge.
Dronecloud, the Drone Management Software provider, has today announced it is leading a consortium to support Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) Drone flights. The consortium has formed ‘Project Rise’, part of the Future Flight Challenge project1 funded by UK Research and Innovation, through the multi-billion-pound Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund. It is composed of key industry partners, including Sky-drones, Cranfield University and Skyports.
The project aims to integrate evolving Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM), the drone version of Air Traffic Control (ATM), with the control systems onboard drones. It will then form part of a Centralised Command and Control Solution, based on the existing Dronecloud Software as a service (SaaS) platform. The project is part of an overall effort across the drone industry to integrate disparate systems at scale, to achieve safer, more reliable and auditable drone flights, even beyond the line of sight. Dronecloud is a provider of Drone Management Software. Its technology is designed to streamline the administration of enterprise drone operations safely. The company offers to significantly cut operating costs by combining business and technical tools. Ultimately, it supports its clients to be able to safely operate drones beyond visual line of sight.
Project Rise will develop an integrated software and hardware hub proof of concept. The complete system will include Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) hardware, ground control stations, flight commissioning and planning, flight control and telemetry, deconfliction services, supplementary data feeds, airspace authorisations, flight noticeboard, Electronic ID, auditability, flight termination, accident and incident reporting, and digital flight logging. The project will culminate in field trials of an UAS delivery operation supporting BVLOS drone flights at the Cranfield University test facility. The system will work within the Open UTM framework to identify and create open system integrations that will be transferrable to the wider drone industry.
Speaking of the project, Dronecloud Co-founder and CEO, Jan Domaradzki, said: “Moving beyond the hype to integrate drones into congested urban airspace remains a tough nut to crack, and that’s a good thing. It’s our job to create the behind the scenes systems that will ensure it can happen safety at scale, in order to win the trust of the public and regulators. It’s a great honour for the team at Dronecloud to gain the backing of the Future flight challenge to form this consortium. We’re looking forward to creating the infrastructure for the aerial highways of the future.”
In many industries, drone operations have evolved organically, with more and more tasks being completed by drones as the benefits are better understood. As operations become more complex, Dronecloud and its partners ensure that they are both compliant, efficient and, above all, safe in how they operate. With dozens, if not hundreds of drone projects running, the traditional mosaic of multiple datapoints, spreadsheets, emails, is just not a sustainable way of managing operations.”
The global Beyond Visual Line of Sight – BVLOS drone market (revenue) is currently estimated at approximately $19B, (CAGR) of nearly 6% and a projected market size of $34B by 2029 Global. Europe is estimated to account for approximately 25% of the global drone market, with a projected BVLOS market worth $8.5B. (Source: BVLOS Drone Market BIS Research 2019)
Dronecloud is a cloud-based Software as a Service (SaaS) solution targeted at enterprise level drone operations, built for drone operators by drone operators. Its platform and evolving ecosystem integrates complex drone fleets, team-based project management, real-time air space & ground hazard data into a risk assessed and auditable workflow built for mission critical drone ops. Dronecloud has been helping some of the biggest UK and International drone users with operations currently supported by Civil Aviation regulation, while paving the way for Beyond Visual Line of Sight and increased autonomy & automation. The future of drone operations, Today!
https://dronecloud.io/
More information For press: [email protected] For customers and partners: [email protected] Call Dave Bush for further information: +44(0)7868738159 About Project Rise: “Unlocking the future of drone operations through integration.” Project Rise is a UK consortium setting out to solve a global problem: how do we safely and reliably integrate unmanned aircraft into the same airspace as manned aircraft over some of the world’s busiest and densest urban conurbations? Project Rise aims to do that through creating a system can communicate between drones and manned aircraft simultaneously.
Member organisations: Dronecloud (ADJsoft Limited) – Project Lead Sky-Drones Technologies – Drone Hardware and Software Sky-Drones’ KirillShilov (Founder & CEO): “Our main goal is to accelerate the development and adoption of unmanned aerial vehicles for enterprise by building connected hardware and software products for drone manufacturers and commercial drone service providers. We always strive to improve the safety and efficiency of drone operations and this collaboration will help to bring this to the next level.” About Sky-Drones Technologies: https://sky-drones.com/ LinkedIn: Sky-Drones Twitter: @skydronescom
Cranfield University – Academic research partner (Systems Integration, Target Operating Model & Legal) Dr Saba Al-Rubaye, Senior Lecturer in Autonomous and Connected Systems at Cranfield University said: “The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent social distancing measures has expedited the need for the fast and efficient delivery of goods – autonomous drones are an ideal solution for this. We’re delighted to be part of the Project Rise team, working to address the challenge of establishing reliable data and communication systems for unmanned aerial operations and their safe integration with manned aircraft in the same airspace.” About Cranfield University: www.cranfield.ac.uk/aerospace
Skyports Ltd – Drone Delivery Service Provider (inc. Regulatory approval consultancy) James Bircumshaw MRICS Infrastructure Manager at Skyports said: “The integration of manned and unmanned aircraft in unsegregated airspace is key to creation of a drone delivery service that can be scaled for permanent commercial operations. We are excited to be part of Project Rise that will develop the solutions to help unlock the economic and social potential of drone technology operated beyond visual line of sight”. About Skyports: https://skyports.net/
About UK Research and Innovation UK Research and Innovation is a new body which works in partnership with universities, research organisations, businesses, charities, and government to create the best possible environment for research and innovation to flourish. We aim to maximise the contribution of each of our component parts, working individually and collectively. We work with our many partners to benefit everyone through knowledge, talent and ideas. For more information visit: https://www.ukri.org
Dronecloud, Cranfield University and Skyports are all ARPAS-UK Members
10th November 2020
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Drones to fight fires and deliver COVID-19 supplies are first to receive share of over £33 million government funding
Government announces the first wave of winners receiving government funding for ground-breaking aviation projects solving major global challenges
Projects include using drones and aviation technologies to solve major global challenges, including coronavirus pandemic and climate change, while creating new jobs across the UK
20 winning ideas are the first wave of projects to be announced from a wider £33.5 million pot for 48 projects
funding is part of efforts to build back better from COVID-19 and support innovative new enterprises
Innovative projects harnessing the latest technology to support the fight against COVID-19 and other challenges like climate change, while creating hundreds of jobs across the country, have been backed by government investment, Business Minister Nadhim Zahawi has announced today (9 November 2020).
The 20 winning ideas will receive a share of £7 million funding ranging from the development of drones capable of delivering COVID-19 medical supplies to remote areas, to technology to enable remote inspections of infrastructure and construction sites – removing the need for workers to potentially be put at risk.
The funding, backing the aviation technologies of the future, comes at a critical time for the industry, with winners demonstrating pioneering ways they are responding and adapting to the challenges posed by issues including climate change and the coronavirus pandemic.
The funding today forms part of a wider £33.5 million investment with an additional 28 potential projects also in the pipeline for government backing.
Business and Industry Minister, Nadhim Zahawi, said:
As the UK leads the way in the aviation revolution, these bold proposals showcase the pioneering spirit of the UK’s aerospace and aviation industries in solving global issues, and those facing us here in the UK.
Today we have announced over £7 million of funding for projects across the country which demonstrate how using the latest and most cutting-edge aviation technologies can step up our response to the coronavirus pandemic, help us build back better and cement our well-earned reputation for research and development excellence, while creating hundreds of new jobs.
Transport Minister Rachel Maclean said:
The UK is already a world-leader when it comes to innovation in aviation and this funding will allow us to carry on supporting the extraordinary work taking place right across the country.
Innovation delivers real change and our support for dynamic ideas in this exciting sector means we are now seeing real life solutions, like the drone delivery of COVID-19 medical supplies, for challenges such as public health and climate change.
The £33.5 million investment comes from the Future Flight Challenge, which aims to increase mobility, reduce reliance on road travel thereby improving road congestion, and increase UK manufacturing opportunities. Today the first wave of 20 winners have been announced, with more projects to be announced in the coming weeks.
Of these, 9 projects are focussed on developing technology to aid the response to the coronavirus pandemic. This includes the development of unmanned drones to deliver medication, reducing human contact and, consequently, transmission of the virus.
Advances in alternative, green energy sources to power aircraft, including hydrogen and electricity, are also a key feature of some of the winning proposals.
The projects include:
Dock-to-Dock, based in Cardiff, which is developing a pilot project to deliver goods between Bristol and Cardiff using a hydrogen-powered electric aircraft.
NAPKIN, based in Greater London, which focuses on paving the way for low and zero carbon short-haul flights for passengers around the UK.
APIAN Limited, based in Essex, is creating and building a drone to deliver medical supplies like COVID-19 blood and swab tests between NHS hospitals and labs in response to the pandemic, protecting key NHS staff and the wider public from coronavirus transmission.
The Light Aircraft Company Ltd, based in Norfolk, will integrate electric propulsion into existing aircraft to enable electric flight of small aircraft.
Windracers Distributed Avionics, based in Southampton and Bristol, will develop swarming technology, an approach to coordinate multiple robots, to allow multiple drones to fly in close formations and work together to provide humanitarian aid or fight fires.
Droneprep Ltd, Consortiq Limited and Windracers Limited, based in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, will use unmanned aerial vehicles to deliver critical PPE and Covid-19 testing kits to vulnerable, rural communities in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
Today’s announcement is part of wider support for the aviation and aerospace industries. The UK has a world-leading aerospace sector generating well-paid jobs and suitable growth across the country, and the government is continuing to support the industry – and their aviation customers – with over £9.5 billion in R&D grants, loans and guarantees, and support for exports and exporters.
Notes to editors:
In total 34 projects are set to receive a share of £30 million, while an additional 14 projects, focused specifically on coronavirus response, will receive a share of a further £3.5 million.
Today 20 winners, receiving a total of £7.35 million, have been announced.
Of the winning proposals announced today, projects include:
Windracers SWARM technology (Southampton, Bristol): This project will develop technology which allows multiple drones to fly in close formations for a variety of purposes including fighting fires and providing humanitarian aid.
Dock-to-Dock (Cardiff): Dock-to-Dock will demonstrate an alternative to road transportation between coastal cities, developing a pilot project to deliver goods by air using clean energy: initially between Avonmouth Docks in Bristol and Cardiff Docks in Wales. The project will focus on vehicle performance and the infrastructure necessary for hydrogen-powered electric aircraft which take-off and land vertically, and therefore don’t require runways.
NAPKIN (Greater London): By looking at different aspects of air travel – including aircraft, airports, airspace, airlines, passengers and communities – NAPKIN will help accelerate the introduction of sustainable, low and zero carbon commercial flights. This includes project partners Cranfield Aerospace, GKN and Rolls-Royce, who are developing conceptual designs for electric aircraft, while airport partners are using their expertise to assess the viability of plans for sustainable flights.
Drone Defence (Nottinghamshire): Drone Defence Services and the University of Nottingham will develop sensor technology to track aircraft. By monitoring all aircraft, Drone Defence aims to provide increased airspace awareness which will prevent drone misuse and enable drones to safely share the sky with other aircraft.
Gold Dragon (Llanbedr, Wales): This project will develop sensor technology for unmanned drones, prioritising health and emergency services including the Police, Coastguard, and Mountain Rescue. It is linked closely with skills development and STEM engagement activities with Gwynedd Council and the Welsh Government. In addition, a recent Economic Impact Assessment estimated that successful development at the Snowdonia Aerospace Centre could contribute 515 jobs to the local area.
Projects focused specifically on coronavirus include:
Cornish Drone Airbridge (Cornwall/Isles of Scilly): Using drones, this project will develop technology capable of delivering PPE and COVID-19 testing kits to vulnerable rural communities in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
MediDrone (London): MediDrone’s project will develop a network of small drones following paths between medical facilities, acting as high-speed shuttles for small medical packages. This will improve the delivery speed of critical medication, and limit human contact with supplies to reduce the risk of transmitting COVID-19 to vulnerable patients.
BVLOS Drone Comms for COVID-19 (Hertford): This project will help improve contact between drones and their control rooms when flying outside the operator’s line of sight. The creation of such technology would help realise the use of drones to deliver medical supplies to patients and collect medical samples.
Remote industrial inspection by drone (Chichester): As the pandemic has meant many have had to spend time off work due to illness or work from home, this project aims to enable remote inspection and monitoring of industrial sites by drone. By reducing workers’ exposure to the virus, this will help increase worker productivity and safety, thereby reducing project cost and risk.
This investment is part of the government’s commitment to help advance the UK’s future transport system through its extensive R&D Roadmap and to increase R&D public spending to £22 billion per year by 2024/25.
The £7.35 million funding announced today represents the first wave of projects totalling £33.5 million funding through the Future Flight Challenge (FFC). Over the next few years, The FFC will distribute £125 million from the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund (ISCF). The FFC aims to accelerate the UK’s position as a world leader in revolutionising how people, goods and services fly. It focuses on the development and demonstration of a novel integrated aviation system that enables the safe operation of new classes of air vehicles. These include air taxis, drones and regional aircraft using electric or autonomous technologies. The Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund aims to bring together researchers and businesses to tackle the big societal and industrial challenges of today.
Further quotes:
Future Flight Challenge Director at UK Research and Innovation, Gary Cutts, said:
At this very challenging time for the international aviation industry, it is a great testament to the UK’s drive and ambition that we have had such a strong response to the first funded Future Flight competition.
The breadth, quality and creativity of the bids has been exceptional and the economic and social benefits offered are very significant.
Chair of the Drone Industry Action Group, Ian Gray, said:
The Future Flight Challenge has been hugely successful in bringing together the different communities necessary to realise the economic and social benefits in the UK of autonomous air vehicles. I am delighted on behalf of the Drones Industry Action Group to see the range of successful grant awards including drone developers, service providers and Air Traffic Management solution providers.
The Drone Industry Action Group was established in 2016 as a collaborative forum for government.
