BlueLight Commercial in collaboration with NPAS issues new RFI on Aviation for imaging systems for "Drones"

BlueLight Commercial are delighted to be supporting the National Police Air Service (NPAS) in undertaking a new market engagement to determine what technical functionality currently exists for Airborne Electro-Optical/Infra-Red (EO/IR) systems. The imaging systems are intended for use on Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) remotely piloted aircraft systems: ‘Drones’.

Alongside the imaging systems, NPAS is also looking at how airborne data links will permit live video imagery to be transmitted into force control rooms and operational resources on scene.

The information requested (due to be submitted onto the above site by 17:00 (BST) on October 11^th 2021) includes the submission of video footage which will demonstrate the capability of the EO/IR system.

High quality colour video, low light and infra-red imagery of sufficient detail and quality in daylight, low light and darkness is to be provided to demonstrate the EO/IR performance at operating heights, typical ranging from 500 to 1500 feet.

The aims of such systems are to enable situational awareness for the incident command team and facilitate risk assessment and operational decision making in real-time.

The video needs to demonstrate that the EO/IR systems provides:      

• Clear visibility of a scene   
• The capture of individual descriptive detail such as facial features and clothing.
• Identification of a vehicle make, model, colour and registration number.
• The recording of evidential detail at any given incident, location or scene.

The imaging systems are being classified into three weight bands:

• imaging system under 4kg total weight
• imaging system 4kg – 10kg total weight
• imaging system 10kg-17kg total weight.

The Systems must be capable to operate on an aerial platform which will be airborne for a minimum of 4 hours and be operating up to 50km away from the base station.

The Equipment must be compliant with UK radiocommunications regulations and must not be subject to ITAR limitations on use.

The exercise is being undertaken via the EU Supply e-tendering portal: 

BLC-Aviation-0030 - RFI - Airborne EO/ IR Imaging Systems and Air to Ground Communication Systems for UAV/Drones