JERSEY will be used as a testbed for a £3.7 million drone project to help develop ‘game-changing’ unmanned aircraft technology.
Flight trials are due to take place in the Island in March and May 2024 as part of the Agile Integrated Airspace System programme funded by the UK government.
It will test the safety of drone technology and assess if there is potential to use unmanned aircraft to improve the supply chain between Jersey and the UK and Europe – such as carrying medical equipment and commercial cargo.
Locations for the flight trials are yet to be decided, but the take-off and landing site is likely to be as close to the sea as possible to limit drone activity over land.
The drones, which have a two-metre wingspan and weigh between 10 and 20kg, will be flown over a dedicated test area to see if they comply with commands and instructions, operate safely if they lose contact with the operator, and comply with air traffic control procedures in the same way that a pilot would.
Technology start-up Volant Autonomy is working with Ports of Jersey, Digital Jersey and several other organisations on the scheme, with a public Q&A session due to be held in September at the Digital Jersey Hub.
The UK start-up was founded by a former Boeing and RAF pilot, as well as three former university professors with specialisms in aerospace engineering, dynamics and control and robotics and autonomy.
Airport director Robin MacRae said: ‘We, at Ports of Jersey, are very excited to be part of a consortium involving such cutting-edge partners who are looking at such potentially game-changing technology.
‘Two of our core strategic business objectives are building connectivity and investing in Jersey’s future, and so ALIAS is a perfect fit for us. This is combined with the ability to be able to work closely with Digital Jersey, a perfect example of local entities working together for the benefit of the Island.’
Digital Jersey – which has been promoting the Island as a ‘perfect sandbox location’ to develop, test and launch new technology – said that Jersey was chosen for its ‘world-class’ network infrastructure and advanced air-traffic management system.
The organisation’s chief executive, Tony Moretta, said: ‘It’s a great example of the attractiveness of the Sandbox Jersey offering that we have been chosen as the testbed for this exciting technology.
The infrastructure we offer and the ease with which we can connect Volant to the facilities, regulators, and services it needs, makes us the ideal location.’
He added: ‘As an island, we can also benefit tremendously as end users. The project will see drone-flight trials that will demonstrate the opportunities for us to use sustainable autonomous drone aircraft to help transport medical supplies, commercial cargo, and perhaps ultimately passengers at some point in the future.’
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