Latest news with #NPAS
Daily Mail
04-08-2025
- Daily Mail
Unmanned police helicopter takes to the sky for first time in Britain as force tests human-sized drone to search for criminals and missing people
An unmanned police helicopter has taken to the sky for the first time under a 'cutting-edge' taxpayer-funded scheme. The National Police Air Service (NPAS) is hoping the remotely-piloted aircraft will be able to join its helicopter fleet in the future to carry out searches for criminals and missing people. Adding to its 'eyes in the skies', it is capable of flying at a maximum height of 18,000ft, soaring through the air at 115mph and is able to stay airborne for up to six hours. Police say is it 'not possible' to say how much one uncrewed aircraft costs, but the scheme is being funded by all police forces in England and Wales and the Home Office. Critics have suggested an unmanned police helicopter is simply a drone, while others pointed out that it needs a remote pilot anyway. But the NPAS has clarified that the unmanned helicopter, a Schiebel Camcopter S-100, is larger than existing drones used by police forces and has a greater range. 'The type of aircraft we will be trialling is much larger, with the ability to carry similar mission equipment to a current police helicopter,' they said. 'It will be able to fly beyond the sight of the controller.' Night-time test flights are being conducted over the Bristol Channel and police believe the helicopters could be capable of staying in the air for up to 12 hours in the future - up from its current capability of six hours. David Walters, NPAS head of futures and innovation, said: 'As technology advances, so too do the opportunities for police air support. This trial will test uncrewed aircraft capable of flying for up to six hours, equipped with mission systems comparable to those on our current fleet. 'If successful, this could pave the way for a highly capable and sustainable blended fleet of helicopters, aeroplanes and uncrewed aircraft. 'Our goal is to ensure the right tool is available at the right time, in the right place, to support policing across England and Wales. 'This represents an ambitious step toward a modern, innovative and best-value police aviation service, designed to meet the diverse needs of policing and communities.' Mr Walters said 30 per cent of NPAS calls were to search for missing people, which the unmanned aircraft could be vital for. It has a forward-facing camera for the pilot to monitor remotely from a base, while it uses a radar to detect other aircraft. The Schiebel Camcopter S-100 carries uses the same high-powered infrared camera as normal police helicopters. Mr Walters added that the unmanned helicopter offers a 90 per cent reduction in emissions per hour than crewed aircraft. PC Matt Leeding, an NPAS tactical flight officer told BBC News: 'My job doesn't change, all we're doing is embracing the new technology, the same service, using the same equipment just on a slightly different platform,' he said. 'There are still incidents when I'll be sitting in an aircraft at 1,500 feet (457 metres) for certain specialist operations and tasks that require a crew on the scene.' Some critics fear that it could lead to the end of manned aicraft. One wrote on X: 'Nothing beats the power of the human eye in the sky. While there is undoubtedly a place for this technology, I hope that this isn't the beginning of the end of manned aircraft for and other crews across the UK.' Another, mocking the 'thought police', joked: 'Can your uncrewed aircraft read illegal thoughts?' Others simply said: 'Isn't that called a drone?' and 'What is the big difference between unmanned helicopter and drone?' And a fourth wrote: 'How much did that cost taxpayers ?' Test flights are due to take place until October but it is expected years of testing would be needed before the unmanned aircraft joins the full NPAS fleet. Sophie O'Sullivan, director of Future of Flight at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said: 'We're committed to enabling the emergency services across the UK to harness cutting-edge aviation technology to do their jobs more efficiently and effectively. 'Through our support for innovative projects like the trial with NPAS, we are helping future-proof critical operations and ensuring that emergency services can safely benefit from the opportunities presented by drones and advanced air mobility.
The Independent
19-07-2025
- The Independent
Dangerous moment laser targets police helicopter flying over city
A police helicopter was targeted by a green laser while flying over Liverpool in the early hours of Friday, 18 July. The National Police Air Service (NPAS) aircraft, en route to an incident, reported that their aircraft was being targeted from an address in West Derby. Air traffic control at Liverpool John Lennon Airport reported that flights into Liverpool had also been targeted. The NPAS helicopter returned to the area and identified an address on Haydn Road. Two teenagers, aged 16 and 13, were arrested on suspicion of shining or directing a laser beam into an aircraft and have been taken into custody. Captain Paul Watts, Head of Flight Operations at NPAS, said: 'We cannot overstate just how reckless it is to distract a pilot and crew with a laser. 'It is a serious offence. Our crews can pinpoint where a laser strike comes from."
BBC News
18-07-2025
- BBC News
Teenagers arrested after laser shone at helicopter and planes
Two teenagers have been arrested after a laser pen was "recklessly" shined at police helicopter crew and planes flying over from a National Police Air Service (NPAS) helicopter said its aircraft was targeted by a green laser from an address in the city's West Derby area at about midnight on on, air traffic control at Liverpool John Lennon Airport said flights had also been boys aged 16 and 13 were held at a property on Haydn Road, Merseyside Police said. Cpt Paul Watts, head of flight operations at NPAS, said: "We cannot overstate just how reckless it is to distract a pilot and crew with a laser."It not only endangers those in an aircraft but potentially people on the ground too."It is a serious offence and our crews will always work robustly with local police to ensure those who engage in such dangerous practices are brought to justice before they cause serious harm to others." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Cision Canada
15-07-2025
- General
- Cision Canada
CRTC consults to help improve Canada's public alerting system Français
GATINEAU, QC, /CNW/ - Today, the CRTC is launching a public consultation to help improve the National Public Alerting System (NPAS). The NPAS is used by emergency management officials across Canada to warn the public about emergency situations like severe weather events and other potential concerns to public safety. This system is a shared responsibility between federal, provincial, and territorial governments and agencies. The CRTC plays a supporting role by requiring cellphone, cable and satellite television providers, and radio and television broadcasters to distribute emergency alerts to the public. Through this consultation, the CRTC is reviewing how public alerts are distributed in Canada. The goal is to help improve the NPAS, including by improving the accessibility of alerts, considering whether alerts should be distributed in languages that reflect local communities, and ensuring that they are available across the country. The CRTC is accepting comments until October 14, 2025. Interested persons can participate by: filling out the online form; sharing your views on CRTC Conversations platform; writing to the Secretary General, CRTC, Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0N2; sending a fax to 819-994-0218; or filing a link to a sign language video using the online form. All comments will form part of the public record and will inform the CRTC's decision. This consultation follows a number of recent actions the CRTC has taken to help protect Canadians. To find out more, check out the CRTC's Consumer Protections Action Plan. Quick facts The CRTC is an independent quasi-judicial tribunal that regulates the Canadian communications sector in the public interest. The CRTC holds public consultations on telecommunications and broadcasting matters and makes decisions based on the public record. Key information about the consultation is available in American Sign Language (ASL) and Langue des signes québécoise (LSQ). First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples and organizations requiring assistance submitting comments, including oral interventions, can contact the CRTC's Indigenous Relations Team.
South Wales Argus
11-07-2025
- South Wales Argus
Hoax call led to helicopter circling Pontymister, police confirm
Residents in Ty Sign reported seeing the helicopter circling for more than 20 minutes around midday, prompting speculation and concern locally. At 12:01pm on Friday 11 July, the National Police Air Service (NPAS) confirmed that its St Athan-based helicopter had been deployed to assist Gwent Police in the Newport area. Gwent Police have since confirmed that the incident was the result of a hoax call, and enquiries into the matter are ongoing. Eyewitnesses described the helicopter making several low passes, with one local saying, 'It's been up there a while, must be something serious.'
