Today a Tekever AR5 UAV has been currently conducting maritime surveillance over the Channel for Border Force. This makes much more sense than using an RAF Poseidon, Shadow or A400M. [Thread]

The Tekever AR5 can provide real-time video imagery from its EO/IR sensors & Synthetic Aperture Radar and has an endurance of 20 hours - all at a fraction of the cost of a Poseidon or A400M (which again MoD spokesperson is not a surveillance aircraft).

Its only limitation is that it is not certified for use outside segregated airspace so a Temporary Danger Area has to be established. However, this need only be up to 1200' so has zero impact on airliners or general aviation.

The aircraft is owned by Tekever and is being evaluated by the Home Office alongside the Hermes 900. The Hermes 900 is a much larger, more complex and expensive aircraft with a 36 hr endurance and the ability to operate in non-segregated airspace up to 30,000'.

These uninhabited aircraft can be complimented by the 2 crewed King Airs operated by 2Excel under a 5-year contract with the Maritime & Coastguard Agency which began in February this year.

This would be a much wiser use of taxpayers' money than misappropriating scarce RAF aircraft which are needed to fulfil Defence tasks; not least Poseidon which is busy rebuilding UK Maritime Patrol Aircraft capability after a 10-year gap.

Military Aid to the Civil Authorities is about providing niche capability or mass to cope with extraordinary events, not covering their failure to deal with known and enduring issues such as irregular migration across the Channel.

Whichever UAS (or a complimentary mix of both) the Home Office decides on, it needs to get a grip of this acquisition. It should also consider an expansion of the 2Excel contract beyond 2 King Airs. The requirement for maritime surveillance is only going to increase. [END]

P.S. I've limited replies to follows as previous tweets on this subject attracted abuse from right-wing window-lickers who want migrants machine-gunned in the water. If you have contribution and I'm not following already, just send me a DM.

P.P.S I know about the typo in the first tweet . A rushed edit from 'is currently' to 'has been' when the operator switched the ADS-B off while I was mid thread!