UK drone container receives safety recommendation for radioactive medical cargo

UK-based Viking Drone Packaging (VDP) has received a letter of recommendation from the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) for a crash-protected container designed to transport radioactive medical materials by drone.

The company said the recommendation was the first issued under VCA requirements for remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) crash-protected containers carrying radiopharmaceuticals.

Developed over more than two years in collaboration with regulators, NHS stakeholders, and drone operators, the container is intended to transport medical isotopes such as gallium-68, which is used in diagnostic imaging and has a short radioactive half-life.

The packaging underwent impact testing, including helicopter drops from 400ft onto a rigid surface, to assess whether hazardous contents would remain contained following a crash.

According to VDP, the tests demonstrated that the container could withstand severe impacts without releasing its contents.

The project also prompted the VCA to expand its assessment criteria to address the carriage of radioactive materials by drone, an application not adequately covered by existing crash-protection requirements.

The recommendation does not authorize commercial flights but forms part of the broader approval process overseen by the UK Civil Aviation Authority for transporting dangerous goods using uncrewed aircraft.

VDP said the technology could eventually support the movement of other hazardous medical supplies and specialist cargo in healthcare, industrial, and offshore operations.

Further reading: Discover how a UK drone trial involving Skyfarer and the NHS is exploring the delivery of radioactive medicines to hospitals.