Drone system for the Home Office Centre for Applied Science and Technology

The Home Office Centre for Applied Science and Technology (CAST) are inviting bids for the provision of a Drone System and related peripherals. CAST have recently undertaken new fields of work utilising drone technology. The current capability allows a team of trained staff to fly basic drone aircraft with cameras to take still and video imagery, however the systems are limited to wide angles of view only, utilising consumer grade equipment. It is the role of CAST to research, evaluate and to make evidence based recommendations to their customers and stakeholders. In the case of their Front Line Support Service, its' role is to purchase, maintain and support a range of search and surveillance equipment which can be loaned out to law enforcement agencies who don't have the budgets to purchase the systems. This is a service the Home Office offers to the police for example. Cast require the following proposed drone system: o 1 x Aircraft o 1 x Ground Station (including tablet controller) o 1 x Joystick Controller o 1 x Aircraft Batteries o 1 x Payload - EO/IR Combined payload o 1 x Payload - Colour Zoom Camera o 1 x Spares kit - Including spare propellers, motor arms, landing gear parts, antenna parts o UK Customer Support o 1 x Training for up to 5 operatives (within 3 months of delivery, training at CAST site in St Albans, trainer will require photographic identification for access)