Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
UK Conducts First Large Drone Flight in Unrestricted Airspace
The Thales Watchkeeper unmanned aircraft flew for three and a half hours over Wales, including for one hour within non-segregated airspace.
A British Army Watchkeeper unmanned aircraft takes off from West Wales Airport in July 2014. (Photo: Bill Carey)
A British Army Watchkeeper unmanned aircraft takes off from West Wales Airport in July 2014. (Photo: Bill Carey)

NATS, the air navigation service provider of the UK, and manufacturer Thales said they conducted the first flight of an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) in non-segregated, controlled airspace over Wales late last month, a UK first. Participants expect the trial involving the 1,050-pound Thales Watchkeeper will help establish the operational and regulatory conditions for future unmanned aircraft flights in unrestricted airspace.