Drone Major Group recently announced the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) approval of Operational Authority to conduct the UK’s first beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone flights over the UK’s Critical National Infrastructure, marking a major breakthrough in the drone industry.
The approval raises the prospect of imminent trials of the technology on approximately 12 kilometres between Wolverhampton and Sandwell & Dudley Station, with Network Rail paving the way for improved safety, speed and efficiency of the UK rail service by funding the project. The trials have the potential to address challenges such as trespassing, infrastructure degradation and delays to related inspections, saving millions annually.
Flying over railways, these drones will operate in a carefully defined ‘safety corridor’, much like aeroplanes, using Drone Major’s advanced ‘Digital Tethering™’ concept to assure the safety of the aircraft’s flight behaviour, significantly minimising risks to those on the ground. The drones are able to monitor the UK’s railways, transmitting visual data in real time to operators, providing vital detection and monitoring of trespassers.
The Communication Group plc supported Drone Major Group’s announcement, securing coverage in specialist trade publications including Computer Weekly, Aerospace Testing International, Tech Round, and New Civil Engineer, among others.
