The National Police Air Service (NPAS) has taken a significant step toward the future of UK airborne policing with the launch of its first Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) Uncrewed Air Systems trials from Avonmouth. The six‑month programme, operating from the Avonmouth South Pier helipad, marks the most ambitious attempt yet to integrate remotely piloted aircraft into routine police aviation operations.
Between July and December 2025, NPAS operated an uncrewed aerial vehicle from Avonmouth during night‑time windows between 2200 and 0400 local time, under a licensable agreement with The Bristol Port Company and an airspace arrangement approved by the Civil Aviation Authority. The trials form part of the CAA’s BVLOS Integration Sandbox, a national initiative designed to gather real‑world data to inform future airspace policy for uncrewed systems.
NPAS partnered with Schiebel to operate the CAMCOPTER S‑100, a proven rotary‑wing UAS already in service with more than 40 organisations worldwide. The aircraft was flown in a controlled environment alongside crewed NPAS helicopters and aeroplanes, allowing the service to evaluate how uncrewed systems might complement existing capabilities. The Austrian‑built S‑100, developed between 2003 and 2005, is designed for flexible ship‑ or land‑based operations and is valued for its vertical take‑off capability and robust performance in demanding environments. It carries a maximum take‑off weight of 200 kg and offers endurance of up to six hours, extendable beyond ten hours with auxiliary fuel tanks.
A key element of the safety case was the testing of a detect‑and‑avoid solution—critical for any future routine BVLOS operations in UK airspace. NPAS spent months developing a robust operational framework to ensure minimal disruption to other airspace users while maintaining the high safety standards expected of police aviation. The trial was conducted initially within a Temporary Danger Area and later within Temporary Reserved Airspace in Class G airspace over the Severn Estuary, supported by an associated Transponder Mandatory Zone. During the trial period, the S‑100 operated using the callsign X‑Ray 1, receiving a Flight Information Service/Basic Service from Cardiff Radar. Successful detection and tracking of cooperative and non‑cooperative airspace users was demonstrated, including through the use of an NPAS Vulcanair P.68R for this stage of the evaluation.
The trial sought to answer a fundamental question: can uncrewed aircraft deliver the same—or improved—operational effect as crewed assets in certain policing scenarios? NPAS Head of Futures and Innovation, David Walters, emphasised that the goal is not to replace helicopters, but to explore how new technology can expand flexibility and resilience. “We cannot predict the outcome of the trial, but it is imperative we deliver the same, or improved, capability that we have today with our crewed aircraft,” he said.
Measures of success include:
- Operational utility — assessing whether BVLOS UAS can support real policing tasks.
- Safety performance — validating detect‑and‑avoid systems and airspace integration.
- Environmental impact — evaluating potential reductions in noise and emissions.
- Airspace coexistence — ensuring minimal disruption to commercial shipping and aviation.
If deemed successful, the Avonmouth trials could pave the way for a hybrid fleet model in which uncrewed aircraft handle certain tasks—such as prolonged overwatch, search operations in remote areas, or deployments in adverse weather—while crewed aircraft continue to deliver rapid response and complex mission capability. The trial achieved more than 90 hours of flight, with the longest sortie lasting 4.5 hours and covering 297 km. Capabilities were tested in a real‑life scenario on Wednesday 24 September 2025, when the trials team, flying over the Severn Bridge, received a “Man Overboard” alert. Diverting from the trial, the crew liaised with HM Coastguard and emergency services partners and directed the aircraft’s sensor suite to the location from which the alert originated. Although it was quickly confirmed as a false alarm, the team demonstrated an immediate and effective response, providing valuable operational experience.
The Home Office‑funded programme represents one of the UK’s most advanced steps toward integrating BVLOS operations into everyday public‑safety aviation. The trial is now in the evaluation stage, having concluded flight operations in December 2025.
Article by Matt Sudol
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