UK police try out drone helicopter for crime search (video)
British police (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
For the first time in the UK, an unmanned police helicopter has been tested, capable of patrolling the skies for up to six hours without a crew. It is planned to be used for searching missing people and tracking criminals, replacing traditional helicopters, according to the Daily Mail.
The unmanned police helicopter took to the skies for the very first time in the UK. It is being tested as a future alternative to conventional helicopters for locating missing persons, apprehending criminals, and conducting aerial surveillance.
The new aircraft is called the Schiebel Camcopter S-100.
It can fly for up to six hours without refueling, reach speeds of up to 185 km/h, and ascend to altitudes exceeding 5,000 meters. Its advantages include lower emissions, cheaper maintenance, and the elimination of risks to a crew.
The police are currently testing the drone over the Bristol Channel during nighttime hours. If the trials prove successful, the aircraft could become part of the National Police Air Service (NPAS) fleet within the next few years.
What is known:
The drone is equipped with a thermal imaging camera and a regular camera, both remotely controlled from a base. It is compared to drones, but it is larger and more powerful, with similar equipment onboard to that of a conventional police helicopter.
The development is funded by taxpayers, as well as all police forces in England and Wales, together with the Home Office.
Why this is important:
Police expect that drones will help respond more effectively to incidents, especially cases of missing persons, which have been increasing recently.
However, not everyone is enthusiastic: critics are raising concerns that this could violate citizens’ rights, as drones are capable of long-term aerial surveillance and may use facial recognition technology.
Despite this, police say these are just the first steps toward creating a smart fleet - combining manned and unmanned aircraft that will complement each other.
Testing will continue until October 2025.
Afterward, NPAS will be able to integrate the Camcopter S-100 into a mixed fleet of aircraft, where manned and unmanned platforms will operate together, providing modern and efficient aerial police support at a lower cost.
Drone interceptor production in Ukraine
According to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine plans to manufacture hundreds of thousands of drone interceptors this year, with the overall production valued at around $6 billion.
Additionally, Ukraine is ready to cooperate with Japan in the field of unmanned technologies, including joint drone manufacturing.
