It is clearly understood that a pandemic like COVID-19 can easily disrupt the normal functioning of almost any sector. During pandemic, there is a need to transport blood samples, swab tests, blood/plasma, and other urgent/critical medical products such as vaccines that needs to be delivered quickly from/to disparate locations in safe and efficient manner. Unlike other deliveries these are time critical, needs to be appropriately handled, i.e. Keeping samples and supplies at the correct temperature, and ensuring that they are not tampered with can also be key to the viability of the sample or vaccine. BB proposes AIR DRUIDS (Autonomous Intelligent Robotic DRones for Unmanned Integrated Delivery System), an autonomous drone delivery of critical medical products such as blood samples, swabs, vaccines, blood and plasma, enabled by an open systems architecture, with fully monitored payloads to ensure payload viability and integrity is sustained. The technology is scalable in size of payload, size of drones, and number of drones required. The intelligent payload system will be capable of monitoring the medical samples in real-time via the multiple onboard sensors. The information on the medical consignment will be live relayed on the mission control system with an interactive user interface. The BB's smart autopilot and deconfliction system will make the UAV assisted medical delivery autonomous and safe especially in BVLOS range, where safety is the main concern both for the operation of the UAV itself and the medical consignment. The BB's advanced mission control and monitoring system will allow operation of multiple drones, to various locations, all tasked and monitored from a central operations centre by just one person. The combination of all the above existing, modified and new technology will deliver a highly innovative cutting-edge drone management and delivery capability, combined with real time payload monitoring. The modular development route allows this to be deployed as a whole system or in parts to support other programmes, making the value realisable very quickly. BB will collaborate with Cranfield University for the demonstration of the AIR DRUIDS system, utilise NBEC corridor from BB HQ to Cranfield Airport (16km). This not only show the practical application of long-range drone delivery with easily swappable, fully monitored payloads, but will also further demonstrate the utility of the NBEC initiative as a national testing facility.

Blue Bear has recently completed a Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) contract developing a highly innovative Unmanned Surface Vessel to meet research requirements of the academic oceanography community. There is real exploitation potential for spinoff concepts in the offshore wind and wave energy market, where such systems can be used for remote inspection of structures and subsurface power lines. Some of these concepts are high risk and require performance verification, which can now be done through Computational Fluid Dynamics, but for which Blue Bear does not have the expertise or facilities.

The consortium's vision for _HEART_ (**_H_**_ydrogen**-**_ **_E_**lectric and **_A_**utomated **_R_**egional **_T_**ransportation) is to develop a sub-regional air transportation network that is _zero carbon_, _affordable_, _scalable_ and _safer_ and with a targeted entry into service in 2025\. Consortium partners include: Blue Bear, ZeroAvia, Loganair, HIAL, Britten-Norman, Inmarsat, Protium, Weston Williamson + Partners, Fleet-on-demand and Edinburgh Napier University. Project HEART is aimed at sub-regional aviation (9-19 PAX aircraft, <500NM). Today's operations are economically uncompetitive due to the high operating costs of the aircraft relative to the number of seats and labour-intensive ground operations amongst other factors. By introducing state-of-the-art technology and infrastructure, the consortium will unlock a sub-regional air travel market that will avoid major congested airports and instead utilise the \>100 licensed airfields around the UK. Passengers can then experience shorter door-to-door travel times, cheaper ticket prices, and a zero-carbon travel option. The key enablers that the HEART consortium will develop during the Future Flight Challenge to unlock this market are: * Novel aircraft with hydrogen fuel cell powertrains and on-board automation (to reduce pilot workload and enable remote support) that will significantly reduce marginal cost of operations. * Green hydrogen infrastructure (production, storage, handling and refuelling) to support and sustain full scale operations together with a skilled workforce to operate and maintain this infrastructure and aircraft. * Single (not two) pilot operations through use of next generation digital towers and remote co-piloting stations to assist pilots during high workload situations which, in turn, enable higher operational safety and scalability within a high-volume network. * Use of a hybrid connectivity solution which combines high bandwidth terrestrial networks (3G/5G) with high-reliability satellite communications to support remote co-piloting and mission critical communication in the cockpit, as well as additional revenue streams from in-cabin use. * Use of autonomous ground robots to 'guide' aircraft, automate baggage loading/unloading and handle refuelling operations. This will increase operational safety, reduce operating costs and enable scale-up of operations. * Radical new aircraft terminal designs that are low-cost, modular and scalable. These terminals will ensure quick intermodal transfers for passengers and automated infrastructure. * Integration of the HEART network with other transportation modes through mobility-as-a-services solutions to enable fast intermodal transfers, door-to-door journeys and 'just-in-time' operator models. Other modes to include existing first/last mile options such as buses and taxis and future solutions such as eVTOLs. * Addressing social acceptance issues such as 'perceived safety of hydrogen powertrains', 'remote co-pilot operations' and understanding the various levers that will affect public perception of these technologies. In Phase 2, the consortium will undertake various proof-of-concept demonstrations to work towards a certifiable commercial demonstration at the end of Phase 3\. The two phases of the Future Flight Challenge project will fast track market readiness by 2025 and full deployment in the UK between 2025 and 2030\.

HEART (Hydrogen- Electric and Automated Regional Transportation) is a programme that will demonstrate a viable regional transport network that is zero carbon, affordable, scalable and safe. It is aimed at sub-regional aviation (typically using 9-19 passenger aircraft, with circa 100 licensed airfields around the UK) with an objective to enable a commercially viable, innovative and eco-friendly network that provides a passenger experience giving door-to-door travel options, improved convenience, flexibility and travel information along with visibility of carbon footprint. The HEART programme will address the following key areas: * Aircraft with hydrogen fuel cell and electric powertrains in order to significantly reduce cost of operations and help improve operational reliability, along with developing a skilled workforce to operate and maintain the infrastructure and aircraft. * Implementation of green hydrogen infrastructure (production storage and refuelling) with consideration of transport and distribution solutions. * Use of configurable aircraft flight control automation, including pilot assistance pilot during high workload; enabling higher operational safety and scalability. * Use of hybrid connectivity solutions to assist in datalink operation, mission critical communication, as well as enabling in-cabin passenger services. * The design of new, low-cost, modular and scalable airport terminal technology concepts. These will be brought to life through simulation, modelling and technical demonstrations through the use of Virtual Reality, to demonstrate enhanced passenger experience. * Usage of autonomous airside ground systems to facilitate rapid aircraft turn-around times, including automated baggage and cargo loading/unloading and refuelling operations, increasing operational safety, reducing operating costs and enabling scale-up of operations. * Integration of the HEART network with other transportation modes through use of mobility-as-a-services solutions that support door-to-door journey views with new and legacy transport modes. Dynamic in-journey updates to simplify and smooth the travel experience. * Understanding and addressing societal concerns such as safety of hydrogen-electric powertrains, dependence on new levels of automation and technologies. * Understanding wider considerations for passengers with reduced mobility or other concerns, with particular focus on accessibility (and egress) of regional network type aircraft without “airbridge” connectivity. The HEART programme will create compound demonstrations that showcase the vision of a 'Day-in-the-life' of a deployed network through a range of events, including • flight trials utilising aircraft with hydrogen-electric powertrain; • configurable autonomous flight control solutions, via UAS and a regional aircraft trial, including pilot support systems and key safety technologies; • Immersive VR experience of the overall traveller journey, including through new design of airport terminal; • Digital Twin/Simulations of operating services, including autonomous baggage/cargo handling; • Demonstration of accessibility approaches for passengers of reduced mobility. These will be supported with other demonstration facets, such as wider simulation and analysis, that show various detail assessments in support of the overall viability of the operational considerations. Finally, individual elements of the journey HEART will be reported through various media and engagement methods. The overall story of Project HEART will also be captured and reported in hardcopy form that will facilitate a longer-term legacy, engagement and exploitation of the range of achievements accomplished by the consortium partners.

Awaiting Public Project Summary