The reference by Alex Marshall to UAVs last week was probably an unfortunate distration of attention.
It seems that he gave an interview to a newspaper some days before the launch day and either that got mixed up with the NPAS launch blurb in the tv cutting room or he was 'ambushed' during the tv interviews with it. It was not part of the launch day text or direction. I did not hear everything the tv interviewer said so I am uncertain about the ambush bit.
NPAS UAVs are not on the menu - if only because they are ridiculously expensive - but no-one is wearing a blindfold on them. As I guess you would expect they are being briefed on the European project that is similar to the now defenct [but equally expensive] South Coast Project. Keeping an open mind does not sign cheques.
From NPAS point of view though the non-pilots who fly them are not likely to start up a thread on Rotorheads are they!