In order to counter school shootings, an American company is marketing drones that are remotely piloted by human operators from a base in Austin, Texas. These drones are coordinated in real-time with law enforcement to serve as a first line of response.
“Our CEO observed the effectiveness of first-person view (FPV) drones on the battlefield in Ukraine. This led him to consider introducing this system to address the growing issue of school shootings in the United States,” explained Khristof Oborski, director of tactical operations at Campus Guardian Angel.
The company is implementing pilot programs in several schools in Florida and Georgia, which are funded by local authorities. In Houston, Texas, even parents have embraced this initiative, Mr. Oborski noted.
According to data from the IntelliSee portal, there were 233 incidents involving firearms reported on American educational campuses in just the year 2025.
The company’s initial step involves creating a 3D map of the school to optimize intervention routes. The drones are then stationed in mini hangars at strategic locations with the aim to respond within 15 seconds of the alarm being triggered, reducing the latency before police arrival.
“The type of intervention depends on the suspect’s behavior. If it’s a child walking in a hallway with a weapon, our presence alone could defuse the situation. Our drones are equipped with an audio system that allows us to communicate with the suspect and give instructions, like ‘Hey! Drop the weapon, we don’t want any harm to come to you,'” Mr. Oborski explained.
Conversely, if the individual is actively targeting children, immediate action is taken – either by striking the attacker with the drone or using non-lethal pepper gel.
This strategy aims to distract the assailant and keep them under surveillance until the police arrive.
“Does this system rely on artificial intelligence? Our answer is no: there is no AI involved here. This precision reassures many people, especially when they discover that the operators we employ are elite professionals, handpicked – simply the best experts,” observed Bill King, co-founder of the company.
The teams consist of four pilots, one of whom is responsible for liaising with the police, most of whom come from professional drone leagues.
“To be the ‘nerd’ working in the shadows to support the heroes of the world – those who protect us from lurking dangers – is a deeply rewarding experience,” expressed 30-year-old drone pilot Alex Campbell. “It’s immensely satisfying to contribute and assist these men and women on the ground, even though I’m just a technician not meant to be on the front lines.”
The service is offered through annual contracts, with costs varying based on the size and layout of the facilities.
“The ideal scenario would be to install this system in every school in the United States… and never have to use it. Because it truly possesses a deterrent force,” concluded Bill King, a former member of the Navy Seals, the U.S. Navy’s special forces.
Published on May 15 at 3:52 pm, AFP.
