Figures on the use of UAS by public authorities and organisations with security responsibilities

A better overview of the scene, additional options for searching for missing persons and enhanced situational awareness for securing major events. Public safety and security organisations (BOS) have long relied on drone support to help them perform their critical tasks - and the trend is growing. This is the conclusion of a recent survey conducted by the UAS service provider Droniq in cooperation with the Frankfurt am Main fire brigade and Johanniter Rhein-Main.

Drones have made significant strides toward becoming a standard tool for authorities and organisations with safety responsibilities. Of the 221 participants in the 'BOS-Drohnenumfrage 2024' (BOS Drone Survey 2024), 85% reported that they regularly use drones. This is an increase of nine percentage points compared to the previous survey in 2022 (76%). Two-thirds of those not currently using UAS are considering changing. And once uncrewed systems are available, they will be used in emergencies. Only 7% of respondents said they had only used drones for training purposes. The proportion of BVLOS (beyond visual line of sight) missions is also noteworthy. 26% of respondents primarily operate UAS beyond visual line of sight. While private applicants often have to stay on the ground for lack of permission, the "authority privilege" under Section 21k of the German air traffic provides an advantage here. And with every BVLOS mission by public authorities and organisations, the drone industry can hope that it will be easier to obtain permission to fly beyond visual line of sight in the future.

> This feature was produced in cooperation with Drones, the magazine for the Drone Economy. www.drones-magazin.de