Remotely piloted aircraft technology which could drive the next generation of search and rescue for HM Coastguard is currently being tested in West Wales by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) in partnership with the Civil Aviation Authority.
The MCA first began its evaluation back in May 2018 with a joint challenge with the RNLI to the aviation industry and has since been laying the foundation stones for the technology’s future use in saving lives as part of rescue operations.
In partnership, the MCA and Elbit Systems UK are exploring how the use of drones could support the work of HM Coastguard. This is in addition to ongoing evaluations being carried out by Bristow Helicopters in North Wales evaluating a remotely piloted aircraft in simulated and recently real-time search and rescue operations.
Test flights have now been carried out during the first two weeks of September using a Hermes 900 as part of a programme of tests in West Wales.
Although the Hermes 900 isn’t currently being used in live operations in the UK, it will be flying in the colours of HM Coastguard and the assessment will further add to the ongoing work around using future technology in its work.
As well as for search and rescue and safety overwatch, the drone could potentially be used for counter pollution work providing vital live video and still photographs of ongoing incidents.
Following the completion of the trial activity at West Wales Airport, near Aberporth, a report will be published at the end of this year which will identify the key components of work that will be required to achieve regular, routine Beyond Visual Line Of Sight (BVLOS) flights in any class of airspace in the future.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “Drones have the potential to help us in so many aspects of our lives. From search and rescue missions, to delivering critical medicines to places like the Isle of Wight – we’re exploring how this new technology could revolutionise our emergency responses. I am proud to see the UK lead the way in trialling these technologies, which could lead to saving many more lives.”
Director of HM Coastguard Claire Hughes added: “We continue to do all we can to use existing technology as well as look to the future in our ongoing work of saving lives at sea. Remotely piloted aircraft continue to be a big part of that work both to potentially save lives in search and rescue and protect our beautiful coastlines from the worst effects of pollution.”