Led by Snowdonia Aerospace, Dragon's Heart will include test flights at Snowdonia Aerospace Centre to develop a system which is fully automated and safety-assured, using cutting edge technology that will enable drones to autonomously detect threats and reroute to safely avoid them mid-flight.

The project will also see prototype vertiports unveiled at the Welsh Blood Service headquarters in Talbot Green, and at its northern stock-holding unit in Wrexham. The sites will host demo flights to enable NHS staff to gain familiarity with the ground infrastructure.

The new research effort focuses on two key areas: Strategic Growth and Regional Demonstrator.

Jeremy Howitt, technical director of Snowdonia Aerospace Centre, said: ‘We're delighted to build on the work we started in the first round of Future Flight funding, where we identified important commercial use-cases that would improve flexibility and connectivity for healthcare providers in Wales.

‘Now, our project can refine the technical application of the concept, by integrating autonomous flight guidance software, a novel ground-based surveillance radar and medical delivery drone - that together promise safety and responsiveness for unmanned drones travelling through our network to make Wales ‘drone-ready'.'

Other partners collaborating on the project include Volant Autonomy, SLiNK-TECH, and Skyports Drone Services.

The project runs until 2026, when a follow-on programme is expected to establish a full prototype drone service.