The Campbell Police Department in California has received a waiver from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations as part of its Drone as a First Responder (DFR) programme. This approval includes nighttime operations. Until now, operating drones at night has been restricted due to visibility issues.
Since starting its DFR programme in 2022, Campbell PD has used a human visual observer with a daytime waiver for BVLOS operations. This has allowed the agency to get critical information from the air, helping them allocate resources more effectively and improve safety.
Campbell PD’s system uses Dedrone by Axon’s DedroneBeyond optical system to track general aviation, incorporating live ADS-B and MatrixSpace Radar data, for safe, situational awareness of airspace; MatrixSpace Radar’s radar sensor that feeds data directly into the DedroneBeyond and Axon Air’s systems; and Axon Air Remote, powered by DroneSense, a customisable DFR solution that enables agencies to deploy drones swiftly from remote locations in response to emergency calls while accessing video feeds from various assets.
Acting as the virtual visual observer, DedroneBeyond operates with a remote pilot from a control centre nearby and enables drones to be rapidly deployed, ascend to an approved altitude of up to 400 feet, and travel to incidents at any time of day. AI-driven sensor fusion technology detects and avoids crewed aircraft without false alarms interrupting the mission. Once at the scene, the drone can either land or monitor from a safe and approved altitude.
Chief Gary Berg of the Campbell PD said the approval means the department can respond faster and more effectively to emergencies, improving both officer and public safety.
For more information
Image: Campbell Police Department
