NPAS shares innovation insights at CAA Future of Flight Day

Courtesy NPAS

Held at Aviation House in Crawley, the event brought together more than 150 members of the CAA’s Future of Flight Programme to explore advances in aviation technology and discuss future regulatory opportunities.

Showcasing BVLOS capability in live search and rescue operations
As part of his presentation, David shared a preview of a live maritime search and rescue exercise carried out at the end of 2025 by the NPAS Futures & Innovation Team in collaboration with the Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA).

The demonstration formed part of the NPAS BVLOS trials programme and explored how an uncrewed aircraft could support emergency services in complex environments while operating safely within Class G airspace.

Key features demonstrated during the operation included:

• Safe airspace integration, with the aircraft coordinating directly with Air Traffic Control via VHF
• Detect‑and‑avoid capability through onboard radar and electronic conspicuity systems
• An L3Harris Wescam MX‑10 EO/IR camera, providing high‑quality live video streaming

In a first for police aviation, live imagery from the uncrewed aircraft was streamed directly to the SARA3 lifeboat crew, significantly increasing their situational awareness.

When SARA deployed a dummy casualty into the water, the aircraft was tasked to locate it, enabling the lifeboat crew to visually reacquire the target well beyond their usual onboard sight range.

The demonstration also tested new maritime integration tools, with the aircraft placing a virtual Aids to Navigation (AtoN) marker at the camera’s point‑of‑interest. This appeared on the lifeboat’s navigation system as a virtual AIS signal, allowing the crew to navigate directly to the marked position and recover the dummy casualty within minutes.
Strengthening future uncrewed aviation capability

David said: “It was a privilege to be invited by the CAA to take part in the event and share the work our NPAS Futures and Innovation team has been progressing.

"The interest and enthusiasm from attendees show just how important collaboration is as we look ahead to the future of police aviation and emerging technologies.”

NPAS continues to work closely with national aviation partners to support safe, innovative development within the BVLOS and uncrewed aviation sector – helping shape the next generation of capability for policing and public safety operations.