RPAS (Drone) Activity to Start in Spring 2023

[davegard]

Just been trawling through the CAA Airspace Change Proposal site regarding Fairford drone ops.
Key points are (1)Drone ops will begin in spring 2023 (2) typically 3 flights per week (3) most flights between sunset and sunrise.

The new hangars should be ready by then to keep them hidden from from view until they sneak out after dark.
I wonder what type they might be?

If anybody wants to read the documents just google ACP-2021-078 (permanent airspace change starting 10th August 2023) and ACP-2022-008 (temporary airspace change to cover spring 2023 to 10th August)

Interesting times ahead! Just hope they don't replace the U-2 deployment.

Davegard

[SamP]

Interesting times ahead! Just hope they don't replace the U-2 deployment.

Exactly, agreed!

My money would be on the RQ-180 of the 74th Reconnaissance Squadron, but time will tell

[city42]

how dose air traffic control work with drones do you still pick up anything on the scanner

[big john]

i have picked up the ones that were monitoring the illegal immigrants in the channel and it was just like a normal aircraft.

[Worldnis]

Drones have ADSB transponders just like regular aircraft, only miniaturized. They can set a squawk code, change it if needed. The new MQ-9s should have Mode 5 IFF as well.

[UKdragon]

see my website post:

https://dragonladytoday.com/2019/12/23/ ... sr-rq-180/

[Radman]

If you have ADS-B radar you can see drones along the West coast of the Black sea and coming and going from Greece and Malta. The Icon is 'Drone' shaped

[C24]

The one(s) from Malta are of Israeli origin and only seem to stay in the local area.

[colp]

There was a drone that operated a fair few times last year out of Waddington or possibly 2021! N190TC. It broadcasted comms and was viewable on ADS-B.

[Coasties]

The latest CAA document on the process indicates that the airspace changes won't be active until May 2024. If as speculated that this is for the RQ-180 I doubt that they'll show up on ADSB

[Fighterfoto]

There was a drone that operated a fair few times last year out of Waddington or possibly 2021! N190TC. It broadcasted comms and was viewable on ADS-B.

That was a company demonstrator MQ-9B Sky Guardian, an RQ-180 on an operational sortie will be something quite different.

[2e1var]

how dose air traffic control work with drones do you still pick up anything on the scanner

I've picked up voice comms from a drone in the past, I guess if they can transmit telemetry then they can transmit voice too.

[wessexspotter]

They're occasionally visible over SPTA on various tracking websites.

[FFDspotter]

Just wondered if anyone had heard any updated news about this… as we’re quickly approaching Spring 2023 - was stated as the start on the drone ops?

[luxto]

Just wondered if anyone had heard any updated news about this… as we’re quickly approaching Spring 2023 - was stated as the start on the drone ops?

See coasties post earlier.

[FFDspotter]

Just wondered if anyone had heard any updated news about this… as we’re quickly approaching Spring 2023 - was stated as the start on the drone ops?

See coasties post earlier.

Ah yep sorry completely missed that somehow! Thanks for the heads up

[brianG]

The dates are for the airspace to be changed permanently.

One can only assume temporary airspace change and trials could take place at any point.

[johnwayne]

The dates are for the airspace to be changed permanently.

One can only assume temporary airspace change and trials could take place at any point.

Good point

[zero_gravity]

how dose air traffic control work with drones do you still pick up anything on the scanner

I've picked up voice comms from a drone in the past, I guess if they can transmit telemetry then they can transmit voice too.

I suspect they will operate like the U2s , mode A only
They will be assigned an IFF [mode 1 code ] on a daily basis , their mode 2 [mission code ] will probably remain static per frame and to operate within UK airspace they will be given a standard mode 3a by ATC each time they fly.
All three codes will be active.

voice may well be via satcom link , but probably relayed on a discreet UHF so that ATC can co-ordinate.
Of course the "pilot" could be anywhere.

ZG

[POL]

ATC will be done exactly the same as any manned aircraft, because that's the requirements from the UK Government for RPAS.