Waiver Permits Nighttime and BVLOS First Responder Missions

The FAA recently issued a unique waiver for the Campbell Police Department regarding its Drone as First Responder (DFR) operations. Officers will now be able to deploy their drone fleet beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) at all hours of the day.

The Campbell Police Department opened its DFR program in 2022 and began working with a visual observer under a daytime-only waiver for BVLOS flights. It has now replaced a human observer with Axon and Dedrone’s DedroneBeyond technology.

DedroneBeyond uses ADS-B data and computer-vision-enabled, sensor-fusion AI to accurately track a given drone’s flight path and behavior. Officers can then remotely manage drones from a control center and respond at altitudes up to 400 feet.

“Drones can provide more than just a birds-eye view of a situation; they can arrive at a scene faster than humans and then enable assessment of an emerging incident to provide critical information for law enforcement and first responders to make better decisions before sending in personnel,” commented Aaditya Devarakonda, CEO of Dedrone. “Today, this potential is hampered by the need to always have human eyes on a drone.”

Nighttime DFR operations have repeatedly been denied, using visibility concerns as an excuse. However, as much as officers probably wish it would, crime doesn’t stop at night. The FAA’s latest approval will allow the Campbell Police Department to employ the DedroneBeyond ground-based detection and avoidance system 24/7.

"This FAA approval is a major milestone for our department and our community,” expressed Campbell Police Department’s Chief Gary Berg. “With the ability to conduct drone operations day or night without the need for visual observers, we can respond faster and more effectively to emergencies, improving both officer and public safety. This technology is a game changer in ensuring we have the tools to support our community when it matters most."

FMI: www.axon.com