MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
News Release (121/2008) issued by The Government News Network on 17
June 2008
The increasing
sophistication of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) used by UK Armed
Forces means that the current airspace above Salisbury Plain in
Wiltshire is now insufficient to accommodate the full training
requirement. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is therefore
undertaking public consultation on proposals to extend the
existing segregated airspace to include an additional area to the
south of the Salisbury Plain Training Area.
The proposed new area of operation, bounded by Warminster,
Andover, Stockbridge and Shaftesbury, would only be activated when
required for training, predominantly during normal working hours.
It would include additional airspace to provide separation from
civil air traffic when activated.
Following initial discussion with various organisations, the
public consultation period will last until late September, and
will include drop-in sessions at Salisbury Guildhall on 22 July
and 30 August from 2pm to 6pm. Its aim is to seek comment and
feedback on the proposals from interested parties.
"Watchkeeper, the MoD's new tactical UAV, is likely to
be the first UAV to utilise the proposed airspace, which extends
from 8,000 to 16,000 feet. At those altitudes it will be difficult
for a ground observer to see or hear the UAV," said Commander
Dennis Ryan from the MoD project team. The proposed new airspace
may affect a small proportion of the aviation community that
currently uses this airspace, but procedures will be put in place
to ensure any disruption is kept to an absolute minimum."
"Unmanned aircraft are proving to be a great asset in
improving the effectiveness of deployed forces, particularly in
the intelligence and surveillance roles, and are now in use on
operations", said Commander Ryan. "The new generation of
equipment has considerably improved performance and sensor
capability that requires integration into military training exercises."
Operation at height to the south of the Salisbury Plain Training
Area is aimed at providing a "look down" capability onto
the training area from up to 15 miles away. Operating at greater
height and distance is a key element in reducing the risk from
hostile action on operations. Imagery produced will only be
employed for operational training purposes, and will be subject to
the 1998 Data Protection Act.
Subject to any changes arising from the consultation process, and
with regulatory approval from the Civil Aviation Authority,
implementation is planned by the end of 2009.
Defence security and technology company QinetiQ is contracted by
MoD to provide support to the Airspace Change Proposal and
consultation exercise. For further information, or to register
your views as part of the public consultation please visit http://www.qinetiq.com/airspace
or post queries to: Airspace Consultation, MoD Boscombe Down,
Wiltshire SP4 0JF. E-mail to airspacechange@qinetiq.com
NOTE TO EDITORS:
1. The WATCHKEEPER system, of which Thales UK is the Prime
Contractor, is representative of the type of UAV that the MoD
plans to fly in the proposed airspace. Procured for the British
Army, it represents a considerable advance in capability over
existing unmanned aircraft and is due to enter service in 2010.
Relatively small and lightweight, it is designed to carry various
sensors to provide surveillance for troops on the ground. It is
capable of operating from hard or rough strip runways.
2. MoD used the Salisbury Plain Training Area for training with
the Army's former Phoenix UAV from 1998 until withdrawal
earlier this year.
3. The aircraft will be undertaking a series of flight trials at
the Aberporth range in Wales before being deployed for operator
training over Salisbury Plain.