Mail On Sunday:
VT Group is drawing up plans to monitor Britain's coastline with unmanned aircraft equipped with high-power lenses. VT has teamed up with Lockheed Martin to bid for a contract to create a UK search and rescue service. Unmanned patrols would patrol the skies over coastlines, looking for boats or swimmers in trouble. At present, search and rescue around Britain is a joint MoD and Maritime and Coastguard Agency responsibility, but vessels from the Royal Navy and RAF are also used. This system is to be streamlined with the introduction of new private services. Other bidders include Thales, AgustaWestland and Bristows/Serco.