Bruce McPherson

Elliot Smith CNBC The U.K. will next week begin testing drones to deliver medical supplies and equipment to frontline health workers battling the coronavirus pandemic. In a press conference on Friday, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced that he had given the green light to begin an £8 million ($9.9 million) testing initiative next week.

The drone testing program, initially launched as part of a £28 million future transport initiative in Southampton and Portsmouth, will be fast-tracked in order to address the “urgent need” for supplies, Shapps said. According to the BBC The trial will use a petrol-fuelled Windracers Ultra fixed-wing drone, capable of carrying 100kg for up to 1,000km (621 miles). However, initially the drone will not carry its maximum payload.

Images and quotes courtesy Elliot Smith CNBC,BBC and Solent transport.