Project CAELUS completes final drone flight trials

The three-week trial, completed in December 2024, was conducted between the Scottish city of Aberdeen, and Elgin, a town approximately 92km to the northwest.

The tests were led by AGS Airports, alongside 15 consortium partners, with support from NHS Grampian, a regional division of the National Health Service (NHS).

Hazel Dempsey, National Program Manager from NHS Grampian, said: "NHS Grampian is proud to be the lead board for NHS Scotland on CAELUS and we are delighted to have worked alongside our fellow boards and to be closing the project with our industry partners on this, our final live flight trial.”

The Grampian region is characterized by a mix of urban centers, remote and rural areas, as well as large distances between medical facilities.

The aim of Project CAELUS (Care & Equity – Logistics UAS Scotland) is to develop a national drone network across Scotland to support deliveries of medicines, medical supplies, and organs, particularly in remote areas.

As the last flight trial being conducted by the project, the Aberdeen–Elgin tests mark a major milestone for the project.

This latest trial builds on previous live flight trials conducted by Project CAELUS in and around NHS sites in Ayrshire and Arran, the Scottish Borders, Glasgow, and Lothian.