Project CAELUS
Project CAELUS is trialling how an uncrewed traffic management system can enable automated drone flights to make medical deliveries quickly and efficiently within rural environments, alongside current aircraft and other airspaces users.
As part of this initiative, NATS is working with a number of airports and other air navigation service providers to identify the operational requirements, and ensure the appropriate safety procedures are in place for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone operations in controlled airspace. As part of this work, we will provide a robust safety submission to the regulator, in this case the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
The first phase of the project has demonstrated how a drone network can connect hospitals, pathology laboratories, distribution centres and GP surgeries across Scotland. The second phase integrates two different types of drone to improve the speed and extend the use for time-critical medical supplies of varying payloads.
Test flights are underway in a number of different locations across the UK.
The CAELUS consortium members are AGS Airports Limited (Aberdeen, Glasgow & Southampton Airports), NHS Scotland, NATS, University of Strathclyde, Connected Places Catapult, ANRA Technology, Atkins, Arup, Cellnex Telecom, Commonplace Digital, DGP Intelsius, Dronamics, Planefinder, Skyports Deliveries Ltd, The Drone Office, Trax International.
