AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Department of Public Safety announced on Wednesday that it has become the first law enforcement agency in the United States to deploy Airborne Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems (ACUS).
DPS said this innovative technology, mounted on helicopters, is designed to detect and respond to drones that may pose threats to public safety or emergency operations.
“As drone use continues to evolve and expand across the country, so does the potential for these devices to be misused in ways that threaten public safety and law enforcement operations,” said Stacy Holland, chief pilot of DPS’s Aircraft Operations Division.
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The ACUS system, operational since August, is currently installed on one DPS helicopter.
DPS Tactical Flight Officers have undergone specialized training to operate the technology, which provides real-time drone detection and alerts pilots and dispatch teams to any threats.
While the system is for detection and situational awareness only, it marks a significant advancement in aerial safety and threat mitigation, enhancing DPS’s ability to protect its personnel and the public during high-risk missions.