Introduction
The National Police Air Service (NPAS) is operated by West Yorkshire Police on behalf of the 43 police forces of England and Wales together with British Transport Police in those areas. https://www.npas.police.uk/
NPAS wishes to engage with the market in relation to the acquisition of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) which can be operated beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS). The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to better understand the market including available and future (over the horizon) products and services. This RFI and any subsequent response to it, does not form any basis of intent or contract. It is merely for understanding where Drone & BVLOS technology is currently within potential applications for policing needs.
Requirements
As part of its commitment to providing an effective and efficient service, in support of forces in keeping the public safe, NPAS is exploring the use of BVLOS RPAS to form part of its future blended fleet.
An initial trial has concluded, in which airborne radar systems were operated so they may be evaluated for suitability as part of a detect and avoid system.
This request for information seeks to understand options, which may be available for the rapid insertion (within 3 years) of this technology, operating in non-segregated airspace in support of units on the ground and over both congested (urban) and non-congested (rural) areas. “Congested area” in relation to a city, town or settlement, means any area, which is substantially used for residential, industrial, commercial or recreational purposes.