Florida deploys America’s first flying police vehicle with 63 mph top speed

Florida Polytechnic University is preparing to bring a piloted electric aircraft into law enforcement, opening a new front in aerial policing. Its police department plans to use a Jetson ONE aircraft, nicknamed Astro, for campus patrols and emergency response.

The aircraft uses electric propulsion and vertical takeoff and landing capabilities. Those features could help officers reach locations that conventional patrol vehicles cannot easily access. However, the university still needs approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) before operational deployment.

Electric flight enters policing

Astro could give officers another way to monitor the university’s campus and surrounding grounds. Police Chief Aaron Murray also sees potential for emergency operations after severe weather. The aircraft could help teams assess affected areas and deliver essential supplies when roads become difficult to navigate.

Florida Poly’s department also plans to work with other regional law enforcement agencies. Those partnerships could extend Astro’s role beyond campus security and support wider emergency response efforts.

Murray believes police departments should understand emerging aviation technology before it becomes commonplace. He said the university wants to explore its potential for public safety and safer airspace operations.

The aircraft’s arrival also reflects a broader shift in how law enforcement adopts new equipment. Drones have already become useful tools for police departments. Florida Poly now wants to investigate what a piloted electric aircraft can offer.

Jetson skips waiting list

California-based Jetson accelerated the university’s order despite a three-year waiting list for the Jetson ONE. CEO Stéphan D’haene said Florida Poly’s engineering focus and public safety objectives made the project a priority.

Jetson has traditionally served recreational flight customers. D’haene said the company also wants to identify practical applications beyond leisure flying. The university’s plans offer an opportunity to test electric personal aircraft in a professional setting.

The Jetson ONE features eight electric motors, a top speed of 63 mph, and an estimated flight time of 20 minutes. The single-seat aircraft weighs about 253 pounds with batteries and includes a ballistic parachute and an automatic landing function.

Astro’s integration could provide a useful case study for the emerging advanced air mobility sector. That field explores new aircraft and operating models for moving people and equipment through the air.

However, the university must first secure FAA authorization. That approval will determine when police can begin using the aircraft in official operations.

Hands-on flight research

Astro will also serve as an engineering research platform at Florida Poly. The university introduced an aerospace engineering degree this fall, giving students a direct connection to emerging aviation systems.

Faculty and students plan to examine real-time operational data from the aircraft. They also expect to incorporate the information into senior capstone design projects. These efforts could expose students to practical engineering problems involving electric flight and aviation safety.

Provost Brad Thiessen said the aircraft will give students and faculty a way to study real-world data. He added that the work could help them tackle engineering challenges associated with advanced air mobility.

Florida Poly has already expanded its campus technology programs. Its police department recently added a drone unit, while students operate a cybersecurity-focused Security Operations Center.

Astro extends that approach into piloted electric aviation. Its eventual deployment could help the university explore how emerging aircraft fit into policing, emergency management, and engineering education.

Source: https://interestingengineering.com/transportation/florida-first-flying-police-vehicle