Somerset is set to become a trailblazer in the use of drones for disaster response and environmental monitoring, thanks to a significant grant from Innovate UK. The council has secured £191,370 from the Future Flight Regional Demonstration Fund for Project RESCUE, aimed at exploring how drones can be effectively deployed to manage environmental emergencies.
Drones, often referred to as the “eyes in the skies,” can be rapidly deployed, access hard-to-reach locations safely, and deliver real-time data and footage to support emergency responders on the ground. This capability is expected to transform how Somerset handles crises such as floods and other environmental hazards.
The council is collaborating with two local business experts: Land & Minerals Consulting Ltd, which is working with the Civil Aviation Authority on safety cases for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone flights, and Limosaero, a startup pioneering solar-powered fixed-wing drones capable of long-range flights.
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Project RESCUE, which stands for Resilience and Emergency Services Coordination Using Enabled-drones, also brings together local emergency services, government agencies, resilience teams, and drone operators to develop a comprehensive plan for adopting drone technology in Somerset’s emergency response framework.
Councillor Mike Rigby, Somerset Council’s Lead Member for the Economy, Planning and Assets, expressed enthusiasm about the project’s potential, stating that Somerset is at the forefront of innovative solutions that address real community challenges. He highlighted the county’s aerospace innovation centre, iAero in Yeovil, as a critical asset in advancing smart aviation technologies through the Council’s Future Flight Innovation Zone initiative.
Reflecting on the devastating floods that struck Somerset more than a decade ago — causing immeasurable human loss and economic damages estimated at £147.5 million — Rigby emphasized the urgent need for advanced technological solutions. Project RESCUE aims to develop a robust business case for using drones to gather critical data during future environmental emergencies, evaluating the environmental, social, and economic impact of such technologies. Additionally, it will explore the economic growth opportunities that drone technology adoption can bring to the region.
Aviation Minister Keir Mather commented on the initiative, highlighting the government’s commitment to supporting cutting-edge British aviation technologies. He noted that investing in drones and unmanned aircraft systems is vital to creating a greener, more efficient transport system that not only benefits the environment but also delivers cost savings and job opportunities across the country.