• Unveiled: Dedicated drone support vehicle designed, developed and manufactured in partnership between heliguy™ and Venari;
• The vehicle was produced to facilitate the heliguy™ training department's delivery of industry-specific closed-course training to enterprise organisations and emergency services;   
• Custom-modified Ford Ranger is tailored for streamlined and efficient UAS operations, including bespoke ready-to-fly drone mechanism and built-in RF drone detection unit;
• Other features include real-time weather station, temperature-controlled battery charging area, a command and control station; and a 43-inch screen with integrated Command Unit interface;
• heliguy™ designed the vehicle as a consultancy to Venari to produce a vehicle that large and small corporations and emergency services can use effectively in the field. If you would like a similar vehicle, contact us where we will facilitate quotes and planning.

It’s here: The UK’s most advanced rapid response dedicated drone vehicle.

The custom-modified Ford Ranger has been designed and developed in a partnership between UAS specialists heliguy™ and industry-leading emergency vehicle manufacturer Venari.

The vehicle was officially unveiled at The UK Emergency Services Show at The NEC, Birmingham. Find out how drones can benefit the emergency services, here.

It has been produced to facilitate the heliguy™ training department in its delivery of industry-specific, face-to-face onsite closed-course training for enterprise organisations and emergency services. Find out more about the heliguy™ training provision, here. 

Built by Venari’s Specialist Vehicle Operations team, the rugged 4x4 is specifically designed for enterprise drone operations to facilitate streamlined and efficient deployment.

Equipped with the latest drone technology, it has a bespoke ready-to-fly mechanism which enables on-board aircraft - such as the DJI M30 Series and M300 RTK - to remain fully-assembled and prepped for immediate deployment.

It also features a built-in DJI AeroScope RF drone detection unit, a real-time weather station, temperature-controlled battery charging area, air suspension, onboard welfare facilities, a command and control station, and a 43-inch QLED screen with integrated Command Unit interface.

The vehicle is 4G/5G enabled, is capable of unlimited run times thanks to its onboard generator, and the interior and exterior lighting has been configured with a 'dark mode' function specifically for night operations to prevent the loss of night-sight adjustment.

An adaptable future-proof solution, the vehicle is modular and caters for an array of drone platforms.

Through the partnership, heliguy™ designed and helped produce the vehicle as a consultancy to Venari to build a vehicle that large and small corporations and emergency services can use effectively in the field. If you would like a similar vehicle, contact us where we will facilitate quotes and planning.

Ben Shirley, Training and Counter-UAS Development Manager, said: “We are delighted with this innovative drone support vehicle, which meets the very unique operational needs of the drone industry.

“It is specifically configured for the most efficient method of deploying UAS - whilst ensuring safety - and is equipped with systems which assist remote pilots in conducting a variety of UAS operations, including a weather station to monitor meteorological conditions and a radio frequency counter-UAS system for airspace monitoring.

“Every minute detail has been considered for the unique and varied situations where UAS are deployed, including human factors, risk management and flight procedures.

“It means that the vehicle can be used for routine and hasty deployments and can help to bolster operations which require command and control. It also houses welfare facilities and, as well as being equipped with its own integrated cellular WiFi connection, it can be complemented by additional communications systems, such as Satcom.”

heliguy™ will take the vehicle to training sessions, as part of its closed-course provision, and events.

As well as The Emergency Services Show, the vehicle was displayed at UK Construction Week, at The NEC, Birmingham, in October 2022.

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About Venari

Venari Group is the largest and fastest-growing manufacturer of emergency vehicles and equipment in the UK, employing more than 120 people.

Formed in 2019, having acquired 32 year-old O&H Vehicle Technology – Britain’s largest and most established manufacturer of ambulances – Venari has set about bringing world-class, innovative solutions to support our frontline emergency services and to save as many lives as possible.

Led by CEO Oliver North, the firm has already won and executed prestigious, multi-million-pound contracts within the fire and ambulance sectors, and has partnered with some of the world’s most desirable equipment manufacturers to distribute their products.

Venari has also partnered with Ford, the UK market leader in commercial vehicles, to manufacture an all-new, 3.5-tonne lightweight front-line ambulance.

About heliguy™

heliguy™ is a leading drone company, headquartered in the UK and supplying and supporting drone programmes around the world.

Facilitating end-to-end workflows, heliguy™'s one-stop-shop industry approach includes proof of concept, consultancy, hardware supply, UK CAA-approved drone training and industry-specific closed courses - including dedicated surveying/GIS and emergency services training - an OSC consultancy, in-house repairs, R&D lab, drone defence, and in-house GIS specialists.

heliguy™ supplies and supports the drone programmes of major companies and organisations such as Network Rail, National Grid, Phillips 66, and Associated British Ports, as well as blue light organisations around the UK, including London Fire Brigade.

heliguy™ also has an extensive partnership network with industry leaders, such as DJI, GeoSLAM, Esri UK, Emlid, and Venari.