Travis Air Force Base Deploys Autonomous Drone-Based Monitoring and Perimeter Security [VIDEO]

Travis Air Force Base has deployed Easy Aerial’s autonomous drone-based monitoring solution.  

“The 60th Air Mobility Wing, 60th Security Forces Squadron, in conjunction with  Easy Aerial, a commercial provider of autonomous drone-based monitoring solutions, has developed and deployed the first automated drone-based monitoring and perimeter security system for a United States Air Force (USAF) installation,” says an Easy Aerial press release.

Easy Aerial and the USAF collaborated on the development of the Smart Air Force Monitoring System (SAFMS) free-flight drone-in-a-box solution, along with a tethered (SAFMS-T) version. The two-year project was part of a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II program.  The solution was developed to conform to the Air Force Base Perimeter Security and Situational Awareness operational requirements. 

Now, the solution will be deployed at Travis Air Force Base.  “After a long process, the program has entered an Initial Operational Capability (IOC) phase where the systems have been approved for flight by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and have begun operations at Travis AFB,” says the press release. “The systems provide autonomous scheduled and on-demand flights that transmit the real-time HD and thermal data needed to protect both airmen and assets against airborne, ground, and potentially water-based threats in all environments. “

“Easy Aerial’s unmanned aerial systems are a game-changer,” said MSgt Joshua Hicks, Travis AFB 60th SFS small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) instructor. “This jointly developed technology will provide unparalleled security and safety for our airmen and critical assets. They will potentially save lives and will save time, effort, and resources as we continue to expand our training and operations across the base.”

SAFMS and SAFMS-T ensure Travis AFB “has options for an immediate eye in the sky that can be deployed in a matter of seconds,” says the release. “Upon receiving a security trigger such as a fence alarm, fire alarm, or other distress calls, the SAFMS can be programmed to deploy from its base station automatically and autonomously navigates to the trigger site location providing complete unparalleled situational awareness. Upon completing the mission, the drone autonomously returns to and lands inside the protective base station, where it will recharge and wait for the next scheduled patrol or security triggered mission. “

“The opportunity to partner with the USAF and UAS working group at Travis AFB has been a tremendous honor and privilege,” said Ivan Stamatovski, CTO, Easy Aerial. “I was humbled by the collective expertise, insight, and vision of this highly dedicated team without whom none of this could have been possible.” 

“This was a joint effort as we worked closely together from start to finish resulting in a customized solution for the USAF that meets all of their operational desires and requirements, all while providing operational safety to the airmen and assets. Their attention to detail and identification of the operational capabilities that needed to be modified and introduced was astounding,” said Stamatovski.