by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian M. Crosby
Drone service provider Flying Lion, Inc. has announced the formation of a new partnership with safety avionics technology innovator Iris Automation granting enhanced airspace awareness to Drone as First Responder (DFR) programs. Per the partnership, Iris Automation’s Casia G ground-based detect and alert system will be added to Flying Lion’s suite of services.
Continue reading below, or listen:
Flying Lion has logged over 22,000 DFR flights, and has worked extensively with leading law enforcement agencies to grant rapid emergency response and aerial assessment. Through DFR programs, Flying Lion has worked for agencies including Chula Vista PD, Redondo Beach PD, Santa Monica PD, and Beverly Hills PD.
In compliance with FAA requirements, Flying Lion and these DFR programs have used human remote pilots in command (RPICs) and visual observers (VOs) to enable BVLOS operations, but this method is sub-optimal for ongoing or large-scale DFR operations. DFR programs facilitate the immediate dispatch of a drone in response to a 911 call to provide real-time aerial situational awareness before the arrival of ground units, improving the safety of both the community and first responders.
“Flying Lion is proud to partner with such a forward-thinking organization as Iris Automation, to provide a safer environment to conduct DFR operations,” said Flying Lion President and Founder Barry Brennan. “The Casia G technology for BVLOS drone flights breaks new ground for public safety – it not only saves time and resources but also allows first responders to better protect the communities they serve.”
The deployment of multiple Casia G nodes to cover an operational area allows drones to survey an entire municipality. DFR program managers can conduct BVLOS operations of multiple UAS from multiple launch points, granting faster response times. Furthermore, routine BVLOS missions allow for the centralized management and operations of the UAS, as well as integration into 911 dispatch and real-time crime center operations. The USA has over 18,000 municipal police departments, only 200 of which have access to an aerial asset. BVLOS drone operations provide the remaining 17,800 departments with access to an aerial asset within existing budget constraints.
“Casia G provides an inexpensive and effective way for customers to take advantage of BVLOS flight through increased airspace awareness without the use of visual observers,” said Jon Damush, CEO of Iris Automation. “The new types of DFR programs are a perfect example, and working with Flying Lion and its incredible work across law enforcement to offer these solutions is an important step.”
The partners will be exhibiting at the National Public Safety UAS Conference in Williamsburg, VA from March 14th-15th.
Read more:
- Drone Management Software for BVLOS Ops: Iris Automation Partners with VOTIX Drone Automation Platform
- FlytBase and Iris Automation Integrate Ground-Based Detect and Avoid with FlytNow Software for Automated, Remote Drone Ops
- Detecting Cooperative and Noncooperative Drones: Iris Automation and Sagetech Avionics Partner
- Iris Automation Casia G: Ground-Based Detect and Avoid Technology
Ian attended Dominican University of California, where he received a BA in English in 2019. With a lifelong passion for writing and storytelling and a keen interest in technology, he is now contributing to DroneLife as a staff writer.
Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
TWITTER:@spaldingbarker
Subscribe to DroneLife here.