Vision of uncrewed aircraft linking Channel Islands discussed

Thursday 26 January 2023

Uncrewed aircraft could improve connectivity in the Channel Islands, deliver medical supplies, help search and rescue and patrol for illegal fishing, Guernsey officials have heard.

A delegation from Ports of Jersey has visited the island to provide an update on a planned trial.

Ports of Jersey is a partner in the £3.7m. Agile Integrated Airspace System programme (ALIAS) with Volant Autonomy, which specialises in guidance software for autonomous aircraft.

"Ports of Jersey have identified ALIAS as a great opportunity, not just for their ports, but for the Channel Islands," said Guernsey Ports managing director Colin Le Ray.

"It will enable them to move essential medical supplies, bolster their search and rescue capability, and potentially provide air taxi services within the Channel Islands."

Guernsey Ports COO Ross Coppolo added it was looking forward to supporting the teams with planned demonstration flights in 2024.

Uncrewed aircraft are already being used in limited trials in the UK.

Drones were used to bring chemotherapy and prescription drugs to patients in the Isle of Wight during the pandemic.

HM Coastguard has trialled uncrewed aircraft in search and rescue missions.

Apart from NASA, the ALIAS programme is the only trial programme in the world that is developing an integrated system to manage the aircraft and air traffic control elements, using ACAS (Aircraft Collision Avoidance System) Xr standards for air taxis and other autonomous aircraft.