A PROJECT using drones to deliver PPE and coronavirus testing kits to the Isles of Scilly is to receive a share of £7million in Government funding.

Cornish Drone Airbridge is being developed by Droneprep Ltd, Consortiq Limited and Windracers Limited. It’s the first project of its kind in the UK to use both long-range, large payload drones as well as flexible Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) drones, which will allow for both point-to-point and inter-island delivery.

Business and Industry Minister, Nadhim Zahawi, said:

“Cornwall’s history is rooted in the pioneering space communications at Goonhilly. I’m pleased to see the county’s technological innovations continuing in this latest endeavour, backed with government funding.

“The potential for drones to deliver medical supplies to the Isles of Scilly demonstrate how the aviation industry is responding and adapting to twenty-first century issues, helping us to build back better from the coronavirus crisis.”

The aim of Cornish Drone Airbridge is to transport medical supplies and equipment to St Marys NHS, Isles of Scilly from mainland Cornwall in only 30 minutes.

The trial will use the Windracers ULTRA UAV drone, which has already proven its capabilities during the first national lockdown with a successful trial across the Solent Water, from Solent Airport to the Isle of Wight. This trial benefited patients by speeding up the delivery of medication and reducing waiting times for test results.

The Cornwall trial will provide an additional transit service for up to 50kg loads and provide a back up to the ferries, which currently have a reduced service during the Covid-19 national lockdown.

The Windracers ULTRA UAV is a twin-engine, fixed-winged aircraft with a carrying capacity of up to 100Kg, in a space around the size of an estate car boot, over 1,000 km.

Stephen Wright, Executive Chairman of Windracers, said “We have been working with the Cornwall Development Company and the University of Southampton for over three years to design and build the Windracers ULTRA UAV. Our aim has always been to provide a fast, cost-effective service to transport humanitarian aid, medical supplies or other critical materials over long distances, whether over land, water or hostile terrain and to deliver where other vehicles or aircraft are unable to access.”

Charles Scales, Chief Executive Officer of Windracers said “We are very pleased that we are able to contribute to helping the NHS fight Covid-19. This will be the first time a large, load-carrying UAV is used in shared airspace between the Isles of Scilly and mainland Cornwall. We are very proud to be part of this ground-breaking project.”

Cornish Drone Airbridge is one of 20 winning ideas to receive a share of £7 million funding. ‘Clean energy’ solutions and responses to the coronavirus pandemic are among the projects supported. The initiatives include new technology to enable remote inspections of infrastructure and construction sites, removing the need for workers to potentially be put at risk of Covid-19 transmission, and electric aircraft powered by hydrogen for delivering goods.

This week’s funding round forms part of a wider £33.5million investment with an additional 28 potential projects also in the pipeline for Government backing.

The Future Flight Challenge fund aims to increase mobility, reduce reliance on road travel thereby improving road congestion, and increase UK manufacturing opportunities.