FAA approves drone as a first responder BVLOS operations in New York State

uAvionix has announced that the Oswego City Police Department’s Drone as a First Responder (DFR) programme has received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval for operations beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) without visual observers using the uAvionix Casia G ground-based detect-and-avoid (DAA) system. 

This FAA approval allows the Oswego (New York State) police department to operate small Uncrewed Aerial Systems as a first response to emergency calls, bringing enhanced response times, situational awareness, and safety to the public and officers.

DFR programmes are changing the way police departments respond to emergencies. By deploying drones equipped with advanced surveillance and communication technologies, police can gain immediate situational awareness of an incident scene before officers arrive. For example, a drone may be able to confirm or refute the possession of a firearm or allow the captain to give guidance to a junior officer. This capability not only enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of police response but also helps in allocating resources more strategically.

In October 2023, uAvionix acquired Iris Automation, the original developer of the Casia G DAA system.