DEALS
DroneXL
Subscribe

First Responders

Police, fire, and search-and-rescue teams putting drones to work when minutes matter.

1,521
Articles
112
Beats covered
10
Reporters on beat
Aug 18
Last updated
Sort
FBI Seeks AI-Powered Surveillance Drones With Facial Recognition As Police Departments Rapidly Expand Warrantless Aerial Monitoring
Skydio

FBI Seeks AI-Powered Surveillance Drones With Facial Recognition As Police Departments Rapidly Expand Warrantless Aerial Monitoring

The FBI is actively seeking to equip surveillance drones with artificial intelligence capabilities including facial recognition, license plate readers, and weapon detection systems, according to federal procurement documents published by The Intercept Thursday. The move comes as approximately 1,500 US law enforcement agencies already operate drone programs with minimal oversight. FBI Issues Reques

Haye KestelooNov 23
Dutch Military Fires on Drones Over NATO Air Base as European Incursions Escalate
Police

Dutch Military Fires on Drones Over NATO Air Base as European Incursions Escalate

The Dutch military fired weapons at unidentified drones flying over Volkel Air Base on Friday night, marking a significant escalation in Europe’s response to mysterious aircraft incursions over NATO facilities, Reuters reported. Security personnel at the southeastern Netherlands base spotted multiple drones between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. local time on November 22, prompting air…

Haye KestelooNov 23
Omaha PD Launch Nebraska’s First DFR Skydio Drone Program
Skydio

Omaha PD Launch Nebraska’s First DFR Drone Program

As First Alert 6 reports, the Omaha Police Department is taking a big step forward today with the official launch of Nebraska’s first Drones as First Responders program and city leaders are ready to show how drones will help officers reach emergencies faster and safer. The department says the goal is simple. Respond faster. Keep…

Rafael SuárezNov 22
No Kings, No Parachutes, No Problem?! Why Does NYPD Fly Skydio Drones Directly Over NYC Protest Crowds?
Police

NYPD Drone Flights Surge 3,200% as Watchdog Warns of Unchecked Surveillance

The New York Police Department conducted 6,546 drone flights in the first six months of 2025, representing a 3,200% increase since 2022, according to a new report by civil rights watchdog Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (S.T.O.P.). The explosive growth raises serious questions about privacy, safety, and transparency as the NYPD deploys 4.7-pound Skydio drones over…

Haye KestelooNov 21
UK’s Chinese EV Ban Mirrors America’s DJI Drone Crackdown. Western Security Theater Goes Global
Skydio

UK’s Chinese EV Ban Mirrors America’s DJI Drone Crackdown. Western Security Theater Goes Global

The playbook American lawmakers perfected against DJI drones is crossing the Atlantic. The UK Ministry of Defence is considering a blanket ban on Chinese-manufactured electric vehicles for military personnel, citing surveillance concerns over built-in cameras and microphones—the exact same argument U.S. officials used to justify restrictions on Chinese drones despite years of failing to produce…

Haye KestelooNov 20
— The DroneXL Briefing · Free

The drone industry moves fast. Stay ahead of it.

One email with the drone news that matters — DJI, FAA, public safety, and everything in between, straight from the newsroom. No spam, no fluff.

Free forever. Unsubscribe in one click.
8,400+
Articles published
340+
Beats & desks
2020
Covering drones since
100%
Independent