Dayton Police Department Plans to Buy Tethered Drones

The drones, which have high-tech camera systems, are connected to rooftop boxes or transport cases. They can reach a maximum altitude of 150 feet.

by Staff

December 3, 2024

Dayton Police Department Plans to Buy Tethered Drones

Fotokite tethered drones are attached to objects on the ground that supply them with power and limit their altitude to a maximum of 150 feet.

Credit:

Fotokite

The Dayton Police Department wants to add tethered drones to its toolkit of aerial response and surveillance systems.

The Dayton City Commission this week is expected to consider spending $96,700 to buy multiple Fotokite Sigma “tethered drones” that launch, fly and land with a push of a button, the Dayton Daily News repoprts.

The tethered unmanned aerial systems (UAS) are connected to a power supply, meaning they can remain in the air and do not have to come down like standard drones to recharge or switch out the batteries.

The drones, which have high-tech camera systems, are connected to rooftop boxes or transport cases. They can reach a maximum altitude of 150 feet.

“These tethered drones provide continuous, real-time video feeds, empowering officers and command staff with a comprehensive view of unfolding scenes,” the city manager’s report about the proposal states. “Unlike traditional drones, Fotokite requires no dedicated operator and stays securely within FAA guidelines, allowing officers to remain focused on immediate tasks.”

The Dayton Police Department also operates other UAS devices for a variety of applications.

Topics:Technology

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