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24. September 2025
Britains Rail Network Gets Sky-Locked: Dronecloud Ruas Unlock Bvlos Flights Across Nine Routes
The Future of Rail Operations: How Dronecloud & RUAS are Revolutionizing Network Rail with Long-Range Drone Flights
Dronecloud and RUAS (Railscape’s UAS division) have secured approval from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to operate Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) flights across nine rail routes totaling 70 kilometers. This landmark approval marks a major breakthrough in Britain’s railway industry, offering safer, smarter, and more efficient operations for Network Rail.
The Flights: A Game-Changer for Railway Operations
The BVLOS flights will be operated from a purpose-built Drone Hub at Network Rail’s Birmingham Rail Operating Centre (ROC). Using Dronecloud’s pioneering Uncrewed Traffic Management (UTM) system alongside the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s Atypical Air Environment framework, and with skilled UAV pilots from RUAS, this authorisation paves the way for rapid expansion across Network Rail’s 14 routes and 20,000 miles of track.
The UTM Platform: Enabling Safe Scale
Dronecloud’s Uncrewed Traffic Management (UTM) platform monitors flight conformance and ensures safe separation of aircraft, creating the conditions for BVLOS flights to be not only possible but scalable. This is the first UTM system in the UK proven at scale for Critical National Infrastructure (CNI).
Benefits of BVLOS Operations
This approval is more than just a milestone in aviation – it’s a breakthrough for Britain’s railway. For Network Rail, BVLOS operations offer significant benefits, including reduced risk: Drones can safely deliver large-scale, real-time monitoring and rapid response capabilities, reducing the risk of accidents and improving safety.
Cut disruption: BVLOS flights enable quicker response times to incidents, reducing delays and disruptions for passengers. Cost savings: Routine inspections are costly and time-intensive. With drones, Network Rail can reduce these costs while increasing efficiency.
Industry Experts Weigh In
Simon Bachelor, Head of Drones Programme British Transport Police (BTP), commented on the significance of this approval:
“We police Britain’s railways, providing a service to rail operators, their staff and passengers across the country. A key strategic objective is to innovate and collaborate with partners to reduce disruption, which is exactly what this project is about.”
Jan Domaradzki, CEO of Dronecloud, shared his vision for the future of drone operations in the UK:
“Dronecloud’s vision is to help deploy managed services with multiple Hubs and satellite drones ports to deliver a common capability for all asset managers and drone operators needing to fly BVLOS across the UK. This will be a truly game-changing capability, opening the door for centralised mass-scale deployment of drones across all CNI.”
The Road Ahead: Scaling Up BVLOS Operations
Dronecloud is now engaging with other Critical National Infrastructure partners to expand BVLOS operations across road, rail, maritime and power networks. This marks the beginning of a national shift toward drone-enabled infrastructure management.
Scaling BVLOS Operations Nationwide
Organisations interested in partnering with Dronecloud, RUAS or the wider team are encouraged to get in touch. The future of drone operations is here, and it’s time to join the journey.
BVLOS: The Future of Railway Operations
Dronecloud and RUAS have set a new standard for railway operations. With BVLOS flights, Network Rail can now operate more efficiently, reducing costs and improving safety. As the technology continues to evolve, it will be exciting to see how this innovation transforms the UK’s railway industry.
Join the Journey to Scale BVLOS
The benefits of BVLOS operations are clear: reduced risk, cut disruption, and cost savings. With Dronecloud and RUAS leading the way, it’s time for other organisations to get involved. The future of drone operations is here, and it’s time to join the journey.