Aerospace Innovators secure major government grant to demonstrate key technologies for Future Flight

• Idroneimages, SLiNK-TECH and Leading Edge Power have been successful in the latest Future Flight programme
• The three companies will work with police forces to deliver a fully flexible British-made drone system 
• Idroneimages will lead the project to improve emergency response, and public safety operations by making them faster, safer, and more cost-effective 

Today, Department for Transport and Innovate UK awarded the latest round of funding under its Future Flight programme to aerospace innovators driving the next generation of flight technologies.

The winners will work with Thames Valley Police and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary to develop a flexible drone system that will help to improve emergency response. 

The initiative, “Drone as a First Responder (DFR)” will develop a new generation of automated drone systems for frontline emergency services, through a joint effort between Bristol-based SLiNK-TECH (SLiNK), Leading Edge Power (LEP), and led by idroneimages (IDI, also operating as idroneinnovations).

Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), launched the follow-on competition following the success of its Phase 3 project, which ended in March this year. The new research effort focuses on two key areas: Strategic Growth and Regional Demonstrator.

The new project tackles one of the drone sector’s biggest challenges: the dominance of so-called ‘closed systems’, self-contained platforms that only allow interaction with manufacturers’ own components.

By developing an open platform that works across different technologies and suppliers, IDI and its partners will boost collaboration, improve emergency response, and public safety operations by making them faster, safer, and more cost-effective.

IDI, SLiNK and LEP will hold live demonstrations during the project, to include trials with both police partners.  

These real-world tests with UK emergency services will become a valuable data source to inform future regulations and ensure the system meets operational needs. 

All findings and best practices will be shared with the Civil Aviation Authority and the wider industry to support the safe and responsible growth of the UK drone sector.

“We are incredibly proud to have our vision validated and supported by Innovate UK,” said Peter Campbell, CEO of IDI. “For too long, the true potential of BVLOS drones for public good has been held back by fragmented systems. This project is about breaking down those barriers, and we are honoured to be working directly with forward-thinking services to solve their real-world challenges. With our exceptional partners, we are building an open, collaborative ecosystem that will empower operators, save lives, secure our critical infrastructure, and establish the UK as a world leader in safe, scalable drone automation.”  

SLiNK’s CEO, John Goudie said: “We are really pleased to receive further support from Innovate UK through the latest round of Future Flight funding. This is a great endorsement of our technology and ongoing work in the drone and advanced air mobility sectors. This will enable SLiNK-TECH, in conjunction with our technology partners, to demonstrate PORTAL supporting drone as a first responder use cases.”

SLiNK’s PORTAL system uses automated sensors to safely guide aircraft during launch and landing and will also feature in two separate Future Flight projects. It will integrate with drones from UK supplier Evolve Dynamics, as well as IDI and LEP’s technologies, to enable seamless, automated flight operations within a safe landing zone. 

As part of the DFR project, LEP will produce a Drone Box docking station and power enclosure, a flexible energy supply for SLiNK’s PORTAL, with both situated and portable power units, and a docking station barrier to ensure safe and reliable drone operations. 

“This award represents more than financial support. It reflects a strong vote of confidence in collaborative innovation, and we’re proud to work alongside industry leaders to shape the operational backbone of future air mobility across the UK” said Thomas Hunt, Head of Engineering and Sales at LEP.

This project will set a new benchmark for drone automation in the UK by showing how collaboration, innovation, and a focus on real-world needs can shape the future of flight.