Unmanned Coastal Air Bridge (UCAB)

The Unmanned Coastal Air Bridge (UCAB) project is a feasibility evaluation to assess the practicality of establishing a UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) drone 'air-bridge' between the Scottish mainland and the Isle of Lewis, and by extension further into the Western Isles, for rapid and flexible deliveries of healthcare supplies. The use of UAV's presents an attractive option for logistics in areas of challenging geography as they are able to fly over and bypass the restrictions of the terrain. However, the 60km+ span (each way) of coastal water between the mainland and Western Isles presents significant contextual challenges for UAV technologies. This project will evaluate the feasibility of using a repurposed long-range drone for use in this application, supporting island communities and building long term sustainable resilience.