British police conducting tests of Elbit's Hermes 900 drone
They are weighing the possibility of operating remotely-piloted aircraft for support of ground forces when it is not possible to use planes or helicopters. The Hermes was also tested by the British Maritime and Coastguard Agency recently
The British police are conducting tests of the Hermes 900 drone, made by Elbit Systems, in order to check the possibility of operating remotely piloted aircraft to support ground forces in scenarios when the use of planes or helicopters is not effective.
The tests of the Hermes 900 by the National Police Air Service (NPAS) are being held at an airport west of Wales, according to the Communication of the ACM website. This type of drone that can reach a speed of 140 mph was also recently tested by the British Maritime and Coastguard Agency to assess its capability to carry out search and rescue missions.
Captain Ollie Dismore from the NPAS said, “If this technology enables us to fulfil our national remit more efficiently and either as or more effectively than with our current assets, then it will be considered as part of a future national police air service fleet.”