Policing could get a massive technological upgrade in the future as a new flying patrol vehicle is introduced in Florida.
The Florida Polytechnic University Police Department in Lakeland has nicknamed the groundbreaking vehicle “Astro,” and the single-seat aircraft was built by Jetson. While it still needs FAA authorization before it can be used for standard patrols, it marks a significant advancement in policing technology. It functions like a large drone and looks like something stolen straight out of a sci-fi movie.
Look:
EYES IN THE SKY: Florida police unveil a $148,000 electric aircraft that can hit 63 mph and take off vertically without a runway.
The Jetson ONE, nicknamed Astro, joined the Florida Polytechnic University Police Department’s fleet this summer — making it the first U.S. law enforcement agency to add a piloted electric aircraft to its operations.
The FAA still hasn’t authorized Astro for actual police patrols, since the aircraft was built under recreational ultralight rules that specifically prohibit surveying and patrolling missions.
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Perhaps more stunning than the idea of the police buzzing around your head during your morning commute is the $148,000 price tag, before applicable taxes and fees.
The New York Post has more information:
Astro may look compact, but its advertised performance is impressive. According to Jetson’s published specifications, the aircraft can reach speeds of 63 mph. That’s fast enough to cover short distances across a large campus without following roads or dealing with traffic. However, battery life limits how long it can stay airborne. Jetson estimates approximately 20 minutes of flight time per charge, making Astro better suited to short missions than extended patrols. Jetson tells CyberGuy that the aircraft takes approximately 90 minutes to recharge using a 240-volt connection. Charging through a standard household outlet takes about three hours. However, officers can swap batteries between flights. This allows them to return to the air sooner if fully charged replacements are available. Each flight still lasts approximately 20 minutes.
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One problem that departments might run into is the weight limit. According to the specifications, the machine can only carry 210lbs, which includes emergency supplies, gear and pilot weight. This provides a limitation on how much gear a pilot officer could carry, potentially putting them at a disadvantage in an emergency scenario.
However, the aircraft could also provide departments with a way to respond during natural disasters like floods or landslides, when roads become difficult or impossible to navigate.
It remains to be seen if this technology becomes a mainstay of policing, or if the price tag and limitations keep it from being a viable option for smaller police departments.
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Sierra Marlee is a millennial whose hunger for the truth in a world of fake news has led her to write. Marlee also contributes to BizPac Review.
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