Watchkeeper (Hansard, 7 July 2003)

§ Mr. Gerald Howarth
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how he intends to ensure that the operation of Watchkeeper unmanned aerial vehicles in UK airspace complies with Civil Aviation Authority requirements. [123605]

§ Mr. Ingram
United Kingdom military unmanned air vehicles including Watchkeeper are regulated in accordance with the Joint Service Publication 550 "Military Aviation Policy, Regulations and Directives". These regulations ensure compliance with CAA requirements for military aircraft operations.

§ Mr. Gerald Howarth
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many RAF personnel have been members of the Watchkeeper Integrated Project Team, and in what capacities. [123606]

§ Mr. Ingram
To date there have been no RAF personnel serving as core members within the Tactical Unmanned Air Vehicle (TUAV) IPT, which incorporates the Watchkeeper programme. As required, the IPT draws on the advice and expertise of RAF personnel within other stakeholder communities and is also able to draw on the knowledge and experience of an Army pilot within the team.

§ Mr. Gerald Howarth
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he plans that(a) manned and (b) unmanned aircraft will be part of the Watchkeeper programme; what the Civil Aviation Authority's requirements are in terms of the qualifications required for the operation of these vehicles in UK (i) controlled and (ii) uncontrolled airspace; and what the flying qualifications are, including total flying hours, aircraft 590W type ratings and instrument ratings of each member of the Integrated Project Team managing this project. [123607]

§ Mr. Ingram
The current proposals by industry to meet the Watchkeeper capability requirement are based on a mix of unmanned air vehicle (UAV) systems.
The Civil Aviation Authority has issued UAV guidance in Civil Air Publication 722 "Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Operations in UK, Airspace Guidance". Which, at Chapter 9, identifies the criteria required for the operation of UAVs in United Kingdom airspace. The Department continues to work closely with the CAA on this issue. The IPT includes key staff with both military and civilian flying qualifications with a total of 102 hours on fixed wing aircraft and 1,397 hours on rotary wing aircraft. For one of the IPT staff this has included 1,000 hours operational flying which qualified for a 'GREEN' instrument rating.