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<p>The Ministry of Defence operates Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Remotely Piloted
Aircraft Systems (RPAS) globally for operational surveillance, precision attack and
for training purposes. Reaper RPAS is the only armed system. It operates only in
Afghanistan, and professional, qualified pilots follow the exact same Rules of Engagement
as pilots of other aircraft types.</p><p> </p><p>Whilst the Department for Environment,
Food and Rural Affairs has not used any RPAS, its Centre for Environment Fisheries
& Aquaculture Science, Food & Environment Research Agency, Environment Agency,
Natural England and Royal Botanic Gardens have used small RPAS to support work on
flood defence and coastal erosion, and the monitoring of crops, plants and nature
reserves. All flights were carried out within the UK except for an aerial plant survey
in Peru carried out by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.</p><p> </p><p>The Home Office
does not itself operate RPAS and the only police force operationally using a system
(albeit very occasionally) is Staffordshire. This system is mostly used for patrol
sweeps of car park and camping areas at V Festival, security sweeps for VIP events
at the National Arboretum, they have also carried out some missing person, search
and rescue, and counter-poaching tasks.</p><p> </p><p>Sussex Police have completed
formal training and are now in the process of gathering experience with their own
RPAS system – although if an important operational task came up RPAS would be deployed.
The formal start date for the trial is in the near future.</p><p> </p><p>Kent Police,
as part of the 2 Seas project, have hosted some RPAS trial flights to assess the performance
of the system. They are planning to host an event about the project in July.</p><p>
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