Skylift UAV completes landmark Beyond Visual Line of Sight drone trial over the Solent
Leicester-based drone technology and operations company Skylift UAV has successfully completed a series of Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone trials over the Solent, marking a significant milestone for uncrewed aviation in the UK.
image: Skylift
Skylift UAV, which is developing commercial drone systems for logistics, surveying, and transport applications, used the trials to demonstrate how drones can safely deliver critical medical supplies over distances beyond the visual range of operators.
The flights, carried out under a Civil Aviation Authority-approved Temporary Danger Area, covered distances of up to 30km per flight, connecting Fort Cumberland in Portsmouth with sites across the Solent, including the Isle of Wight. Insights from the trial should help shape the UK’s approach to integrating drones into public service operations and commercial transport networks.
The drones transported medical payloads such as blood, medicines, and other sensitive items, while researchers monitored the effects of vibration and environmental conditions on delivery accuracy and safety.
The programme was conducted as part of the Solent Future Transport Zone (FTZ) Drones for Medical Logistics project, funded by the Department for Transport and delivered in partnership with Solent Transport, the University of Southampton, and technology partner Hecto Drone.
Emergency services, including the Coastguard, police, and air ambulance, coordinated with the flights to ensure safe integration with maritime and manned aviation activity.
Skylift UAV led the operations, using its expertise in long-range BVLOS drone missions, including previous work on Project ALIAS off Jersey in 2024. Tim Forrester, programme manager for the Solent FTZ, said the trials were designed to move drone technologies “from theory into practice,” providing real-world data to inform future UK airspace regulation and support wider adoption of drones in transport, logistics, and healthcare.
The trial demonstrated that BVLOS drones can operate safely over extended distances in complex airspace, offering a practical solution for time-critical deliveries to hard-to-reach locations.