The skies above Scotland could soon be buzzing with drone deliveries after a consortium led by NHS Scotland and AGS Airports secured £10 million in funding from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

The CAELUS consortium, which brings together more than a dozen industry partners, aims to develop the UK’s first medical distribution network using drones.

Plans laid out by the consortium would see drones used to transport essential medicines, bloods and other medical supplies throughout Scotland, including to remote and isolated communities.

Public Health Minister Maree Todd said the project has exciting potential for both NHS services and the future of drone deliveries in Scotland.

She commented: “This innovative project will help position Scotland at the forefront of drone technologies to deliver essential healthcare supplies to people more quickly and provide equity of care between urban and remote rural communities.”

Since securing £1.5 million in January 2020, the consortium has designed drone landing stations for NHS sites across Scotland and developed a digital twin of the proposed delivery network which connects hospitals, pathology laboratories, distribution centres and GP surgeries.

This latest round of funding will be used to accelerate development of the network and begin live flight trials.

Fiona Smith, AGS Airports Group Head of Aerodrome Strategy and CAELUS Project Director, said: “The second round of funding from UKRI will allow our consortium to undertake live flights and begin to deploy the physical infrastructure needed to support the drones across Scotland.

“This will involve building prototype landing bases as well as digital and communication infrastructure. We will also work with local communities to ensure they understand why and how the drones will be used.”

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Live flight trials will be operated by Skyports. The UK-based drone firm is an experienced operator of medical and dangerous goods cargo flights, and previously led drone trial flights with NHS Scotland in 2020 and 2021.

Alex Brown, Director of Skyports Drone Services, said: “The benefits case for drone operations in Scotland is clear, particularly across the public health sector.

“We’ve already demonstrated the positive impact drone interventions can have on individuals and communities, and we’re eager to kick-off the next round of flight trials with the view to soon be facilitating permanent drone deliveries to connect people to these essential supplies – wherever they are.”

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