Flock Safety Launches Aerodome DAS: Enterprise Drone Security for Critical Infrastructure

Flock Safety has officially brought its law enforcement-proven drone technology to the private sector with the September 25 launch of Flock Aerodome Drone as Automated Security (DAS), a turnkey automated drone system designed to protect airports, warehouses, healthcare campuses, and other large-footprint facilities. The announcement marks a significant expansion of autonomous drone security beyond public safety applications, addressing rising concerns about organized retail crime and security staffing constraints across critical infrastructure sectors.

From Law Enforcement to Enterprise Security

Built on Flock’s Drone as First Responder (DFR) platform—which the company acquired in October 2024—the Aerodome DAS system brings proven technology to commercial applications. In law enforcement deployments, the system has achieved average response times of 86 seconds, dramatically outpacing the 5-10 minutes typical for ground-based security responses.

“Security leaders are being asked to protect more with less across bigger footprints, tighter budgets, and real staffing constraints,” said Rahul Sidhu, VP of Aviation at Flock Safety. “Flock Aerodome DAS gives them a ‘guard in the sky,’ putting eyes on the scene in seconds and turning blind alarms into informed action.”

Technical Specifications and Coverage

Each Aerodome dock covers approximately a 3.5-mile radius—roughly 38 square miles—with flight times up to 45 minutes. The system features one-button deployment: when integrated sensors detect an alert, operators simply click to dispatch the drone, which autonomously navigates to the incident location while streaming live HD and thermal video.

The platform integrates seamlessly with existing security infrastructure, including alarm panels, video management systems (VMS), and access control systems, as well as Flock’s broader ecosystem via FlockOS. This includes integration with the company’s License Plate Reader cameras and audio detection sensors.

Operating under FAA Part 107 regulations with site-specific Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) waivers where applicable, the system includes geofencing, obstacle avoidance, precision landing, and comprehensive flight logging for compliance.

Market Timing and Industry Impact

The launch comes as retailers reported a 93% increase in shoplifting incidents in 2024, while 76% cite rising violence-related theft as forcing customer experience compromises. Flock positions the system as a force multiplier, offering coverage across massive areas at roughly the cost of a single security guard while reducing false alarm responses.

Target applications include transportation hubs, energy facilities, healthcare campuses, warehouses, logistics centers, and retail properties with large physical footprints—essentially any critical infrastructure where traditional security coverage proves challenging or cost-prohibitive.

A single operator can manage multiple drones and docks simultaneously, with automated battery swapping maintaining continuous coverage. In law enforcement programs, the technology enabled an 89% increase in subjects and vehicles found compared to traditional methods.

DroneXL’s Take

Flock’s move into enterprise drone security represents a crucial test case for autonomous DAS technology scaling beyond public safety. The 86-second response time and single-operator-multiple-drone capability could fundamentally reshape how critical infrastructure approaches perimeter security—if the economics and regulatory framework hold up.

The key question: Can private sector adoption achieve the same rapid deployment that law enforcement DFR programs demonstrated in cities like Scottsdale? With organized retail crime spiking and security budgets under pressure, the timing certainly favors automated solutions. But success will depend on navigating complex airspace approvals, liability questions, and the privacy concerns that have dogged Flock’s ground-based surveillance products.

As BVLOS operations become more commonplace and drone technology continues maturing, we may be witnessing the early stages of aerial security becoming as routine as camera systems—for better or worse.

What’s your take on automated drone security for private enterprises? Share your thoughts in the comments below.