Flight trials were conducted in November and December 2020 using the University of Southampton and Windracer’s ULTRA TD-1 fixed-wing platform to investigate the effect of drone flight on insulin. Two flights (durations of 50 and 22 minutes) were completed at Thorney Island Barracks near Portsmouth, before a return flight was made crossing from Land’s End Airport to the Isles of Scilly (durations of 38 and 23 minutes covering a total distance of 98 km), with insulin found to be still fit for use post-flight. See Effects of Drone Flight on Payload Quality for more information.
Flight trials were conducted in December 2020 in West Wellow to investigate the effect of drone flight on insulin. Six flights with a combined duration of approximately 18 minutes were conducted using Motion Robotic’s Arty multi-copter platform, finding no significant degradation of the payload. See Effects of Drone Flight on Payload Quality for more information.
Flight trials took place in April 2021 working with Skyports as part of their testing for drone transport of healthcare payloads for the NHS between sites located in NHS Highland (Scotland). Vibration monitoring of the airframe and within the payload (mock blood IV bag) was undertaken on eight flights. See Effects of Drone Flight on Payload Quality for more information.
Flight trials were carried out in October and November 2021 at Thorney Island Barracks near Portsmouth to investigate the effect of drone flight (duration 10 minutes covering 11 km) on a payload of cancer treatment drugs consisting of samples of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) using a hybrid fixed-wing/multi-copter platform, finding no significant degradation of the payload. See Effects of Drone Flight on Payload Quality for more information.
Flight trials were conducted in July 2022 at Llanbedr Airfield working with the CASCADE research project to investigate a prototype airspace booking system (see Drones in Shared Airspace for more information) and in-flight vibration (see Effects of Drone Flight on Payload Quality for more information). Over the week of the trials, 57 hours were flown by 67 drones of different configurations operating safely through the airspace booking system, with drone energy consumption monitored and medical delivery trials carried out.
Flight trials were undertaken in October 2022 in Keevil working with Modini to investigate the effect of drone flight on a payload of cancer treatment drugs consisting of samples of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). In total, 60 three-minute flights were completed using a multi-copter platform, with no significant degradation of the payload. See Effects of Drone Flight on Payload Quality for more information.
Flight trials were carried out in December 2022 in Henstridge working with the UK Government’s Ministry of Defence (MOD) and Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) to investigate the effect of drone flight on packed red blood cells. Three flights were completed, achieving a total flight time of 40 minutes. See Effects of Drone Flight on Payload Quality for more information.
Flight trials took place in February 2023 working with Apian and Skyports as part of their testing for drone transport of healthcare payloads for the NHS between sites located in Ashington, Alnwick and Berwick. Vibration monitoring of the airframe and within the payload (IV saline and Packed Red Blood Cells) was undertaken on eight flights. See Effects of Drone Flight on Payload Quality for more information.
Flight trials were conducted in July 2023 at Llanbedr Airfield to investigate the practicalities associated with the new drop test procedure for Crash Protected Containers for carrying dangerous goods by drone. See Dangerous Goods Regulations and Drones for more information.
Footage of drop test on an insulated medical carrier in the Llanbedr Flight Trials 2023.
