Special to WorldTribune.com

ABU DHABI — The United Arab Emirates plans to expand unmanned aerial vehicle operations.

Officials said the UAE would expand UAV operations beyond those of the military and security forces.

The officials said the Gulf Cooperation Council emirates would use unmanned aircraft, including an indigenous platform, to upgrade government services.

“The UAE will try to deliver its government services through drones,” UAE Cabinet Affairs Minister Mohammed Al Gergawi said. “This is the first project of its kind in the world.”

In a briefing on Feb. 10, Gergawi displayed the latest UAE unmanned aircraft prototype, a rotary-wing platform that resembled a butterfly. The battery-operated vehicle, propelled by four rotors, measured 0.5 meters and was designed to transport parcels.

The UAV project was drafted by Abdul Rahman Al Serkal. Al Serkal said the UAV would carry a payload that included fingerprint and eye-recognition security systems to protect the platform as well as its cargo.

Officials said the UAV would be tested in the Dubai emirate for at least
six months. They said operations could begin in early 2015 and include the
delivery of official documents and identification papers.

“Within a year from now we will understand the capabilities of the
system and what sort of services, and how far we can deliver,” Gergawi said.
“Eventually a new product will be launched across all the country.”

  Abdul Rahman Al Serkal, Mohammed Al Gergawi, UAE to deliver government services via drones, UAVs