13 June 2025
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has approved long-range, beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone operations over active rail tracks.
Drone Major Group, a drone technology consultant, has been granted Operational Authority to fly BVLOS drones over Britain’s railways.
Backed by Network Rail, the programme will begin trials over a 12km route between Wolverhampton and Sandwell & Dudley stations. The aim is to demonstrate how drones can enhance safety and efficiency across the UK’s critical infrastructure.
The breakthrough comes thanks to Drone Major’s Digital Tethering concept, a system that allows drones to fly autonomously accurately even in areas where GPS is unreliable.
Operating within a tightly defined aerial corridor, the drones will transmit live video data to help detect trespassers, reduce service delays, and potentially save lives.
“This marks a major milestone for drone integration in UK airspace,” said Sophie O’Sullivan, Director of Future of Flight at the CAA.
“We’re supporting real-world projects like this to help modernise UK airspace and lay the groundwork for future regulatory frameworks.”
Initial trials have already been conducted along lines near Wolverhampton and the Severn Valley Railway, demonstrating the viability of the Digital Tethering system in complex environments.
According to Drone Major’s CEO, Robert Garbett, the technology could be rolled out to monitor other parts of the UK’s critical infrastructure, including energy networks, borders, and defence installations.
