California city gets FAA's approval for cops to fly drones at night at further distances, a first

The Campbell Police Department in California has made headlines by receiving a groundbreaking waiver from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations, enabling its Drone as a First Responder (DFR) program to operate at night. This approval marks the first instance where nighttime drone operations are permitted without the need for visual observers.

Since launching its DFR program in 2022, the department has relied on human observers for daytime BVLOS operations, using drones to provide real-time situational awareness during emergencies. With the new FAA approval, the Campbell Police Department can now utilize Dedrone's cutting-edge DedroneBeyond technology for 24/7 operations, significantly enhancing their emergency response capabilities.

DedroneBeyond acts as a virtual visual observer, allowing drones to be deployed swiftly and navigate efficiently to incidents, reaching altitudes of up to 400 feet. The AI-driven system ensures safe detection and avoidance of crewed aircraft, enabling rapid response without the constraints of human oversight.

Since launching its DFR program in 2022, the department has relied on human observers for daytime BVLOS operationsPhoto byJason MavrommatisonUnsplash