Overview

• The A320 had just departed Heathrow in May when both pilots saw a bright white object pass overhead in the opposite direction.
• The first officer described a triangular shape about 2–3 metres across that passed within roughly 10 metres of the jet and filled much of the windscreen.
• Air traffic control reportedly tracked the craft on radar, and a suspected drone was seen near London City Airport around the same time.
• The operator was not identified, and UK rules cap most drone flights at 400 ft—far below the aircraft’s altitude.
• The disclosure comes as officials note rising close calls and the MOD trials radiofrequency directed‑energy systems to disable drones.