Drones or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are aircraft either controlled by pilots from the ground or autonomously following a pre-planned flight path. Unlike fixed CCTV Security systems, Drones provide dynamic surveillance capabilities, outpacing ground patrol land coverage by up to 86%.
Security drones can carry multiple sensors, such as thermal, night vision, and zoom, to highlight hazards and unauthorised individuals. Their design for subtlety and quiet operation ensures minimal disruption, making them ideal for everyday monitoring tasks.
As excellent preventative tools, drones also double up as a 2D/3D mapping tool to generate digital twins of sites. This aids in risk assessments and event planning by providing an aerial and accurately scaled area map.
This article will discuss the use of drones for security, covering their various security applications, the costs involved, and the training required.
Why do security firms use drones?
More top companies, including G4S and QinetiQ, are adopting drone technology to make quick, informed decisions and save on manned patrols and fuel costs by up to 60%.
Detecting and deterring intruders is challenging for large or unfenced sites. Drones are a visible deterrent and can cover vast areas more efficiently than personnel alone. High-quality cameras provide surveillance of rooftops and blindspots to identify potential issues. You can investigate any areas of interest in real time with a drone before deciding on the appropriate response.
G4S state that “Automation and technology enhancements have made drone technology a reality. Whether it is perimeter or external inspections, a visible criminal deterrent or replacing physical patrols, drones have a role to play – and we’re at the forefront of technology.”
How are security firms using drones?
Security companies use drones in a range of ways. Whether it’s for perimeter surveillance, event security, risk assessments, facility inspections, and more.
In March 2024, the UK Government launched the “Future of Flight” plan, set to change how drones are used in security.
This action plan outlines the route to legalise Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) flights. This will allow drones to operate autonomously without direct visual supervision from operators.
Drone hangars like the DJI Dock 2 serve as automated charging and storage stations for drones. They allow the drone to land, recharge, and take off autonomously, enabling continuous operation without manual intervention.
This will transform applications requiring extended drone usage, such as surveillance, inspections, and monitoring tasks.
Currently, using a drone hangar is allowed, but someone must be on-site to keep the drone in visual line of sight (VLOS) and follow legal regulations. For specialised use cases, you can submit an Operational Safety Case to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
Perimeter Surveillance
Drones equipped with HD and thermal cameras can swiftly navigate to any location, covering ground three times faster than patrols with half the resources, eliminating blind spots. They excel in nighttime surveillance, seeing through obstacles like foliage. You can also automate drones using a drone-in-a-box solution like the DJI Dock 2.
Event Security
Drones quickly boost event security, from pre-planning and risk assessments to rapid response to an incident. Real-time data helps with fast decision-making and coordination with emergency services, for increased safety.
An aerial view helps identify threats in crowds, reducing risk without the extra cost of physical security teams. Key functionalities like Zoom provide a clear view from afar. Some drones can pin and track subjects ensuring continuous monitoring without losing sight of them.
Risk Assessments
Drones can also create orthomosaics, a 2D map where each point is defined by its X and Y coordinates and colour information.
This map has a consistent scale, perfect for precise 2D measurements like distance and area. It fixes common problems in input images, such as camera angle and changes in object size from camera distance. The map’s clear view helps security teams spot risks, set up patrol routes, and strategically place cameras and staff.
Facility Inspections
Drones improve safety inspections by reaching inaccessible or hazardous areas such as roofs, towers, pipelines, and power lines, without endangering workers.
They can zoom in to identify visual flaws and gather thermal data to spot heat discrepancies, signalling potential problems. LiDAR sensors attached to drones can also map structures in 3D by measuring light reflections. Read more about LiDAR here.
These methods give a fuller picture of the health of an asset. Drone inspections are quick, reducing downtime.
Do you need special permissions to fly drones?
If your drone is either over 2kg, or 250g-2kg and you need to overfly uninvolved people, then you need an Operational Authorisation from the CAA.
To get this, you need a General Visual Line of Sight Certificate (GVC) from a RAE training provider, like Coptrz.
The GVC is essentially like a driving test but for drones. It shows the CAA that you are qualified enough to have permission to fly in higher-risk scenarios.
You can complete your GVC training online at your own pace or opt for an accelerated two-day in-person course. Both include an on-site flight test at any of our six UK locations.
Coptrz also offers full cohort training sessions that can be conducted at your site.
How much do security drones cost?
The term “security UAVs” encompasses a range of drones specifically designed for security.
These drones vary in size, capability, and cost. The type of drone you get depends on your operational needs.
What type of drones do security firms use?
DJI Matrice 350 RTK
One of the DJI Matrice 350 RTK‘s (M350) biggest advantages is its lengthy 55-minute flight time. This enables security drone pilots to cover more ground or stay airborne longer without the need for frequent landings to recharge. This is invaluable for extended search and rescue operations, crowd monitoring, or prolonged surveillance.
Pilots can quickly change the drone’s battery without turning it off, thanks to the hot-swappable battery feature. This allows you to keep the drone in the air with minimal downtime.
This drone is the most versatile, with the ability to carry up to three payloads simultaneously. Unlike most drones that have fixed payloads, the M350 can carry a variety of tools and sensors tailored to specific operational needs.
Among these are the advanced DJI Zenmuse H20T thermal camera, the DJI Zenmuse H20N night vision camera. As accessories, you can add the CZI GL60 Plus Searchlight or the CZI MP130 loudspeaker for verbal warnings.
This range of compatible payloads ensures that security firms can adapt the drone for many tasks, from aerial surveys to real-time surveillance.
DJI Mavic 3 Thermal
The DJI Mavic 3 Thermal (M3T) stands out as the smallest and most portable drone for security firms. It excels in situations where fast aerial support is needed, ready to launch in under 60 seconds.
With a 45-minute flight time, the M3T enables prolonged surveillance without frequent interruptions for recharging.
Equipped with a sophisticated tri-sensor payload including high-quality wide and tele cameras and a thermal imaging camera. The thermal can detect individuals by heat signatures in any lighting condition or through barriers like foliage.
The zoom also has 56x zoom, valuable for identifying individuals, reading vehicle license plates, or investigating suspicious objects from a distance.
DJI Matrice 30 Thermal
The DJI Matrice 30 Thermal (M30T) is a top choice for security firms due to its balance of size, performance, and cost. Its durable design, rated IP55, allows it to work in tough weather for dependable performance when it’s most needed.
Equipped with a quad-sensor payload, including a 48 MP zoom camera capable of 200x zoom, the M30T excels in detailed observation from a distance. This is complemented by a 12MP wide camera, a thermal camera, and a laser rangefinder.
The M30T’s AI smart track feature can highlight and track subjects, aiding in suspect pursuits or crowd monitoring. This reduces the workload on operators and increases the efficiency of security operations by ensuring continuous observation.
Parrot ANAFI USA
Made in the USA, this drone is perfect for security operations, featuring a lightweight design at just 499 grams. This makes it very quiet, becoming almost undetectable at distances of 130 meters, ideal for discreet surveillance activities.
Its thermal imaging is powered by the FLIR Boson 320, with relative and spot thermography modes for cold and hot spot detection. For optimal visualisation, you can choose from 2 colours and 2 black-and-white palettes. There is also a quick thermal analysis mode to assess and react to security situations efficiently.
Moreover, the Parrot ANAFI USA ensures the highest level of data protection, incorporating SD-Card AES-XTS encryption with a robust 512-bit key.
As a part of the Blue sUAS program and manufactured in the USA, it meets NDAA & TAA compliance, assuring users of its trustworthiness for sensitive operations.
DJI Avata
The DJI Avata is excellent for indoor security, thanks to its compact, agile design and advanced imaging. Its small size and built-in propeller guards make it safe and manoeuvrable in tight spaces.
It is designed to be used with DJI Goggles and a motion controller for intuitive control, providing a first-person view (FPV) flying experience. With up to 18 minutes of flight time per charge, it offers extended operation for comprehensive security coverage.
Equipped with a 4K ultra-wide-angle camera, it provides detailed visuals over a wide area, essential for thorough monitoring.
Summary
In conclusion, the landscape of security is rapidly evolving with the integration of surveillance drones. These drones not only enhance the ability to monitor and assess risks in real-time but also significantly reduce operational costs and manpower requirements.
With the UK government’s “Future of Flight” plan and the growing adoption of drones by leading security firms, the future of surveillance UAVs looks promising. These tools are set to redefine surveillance, risk assessment, and emergency response, proving indispensable in the modern security apparatus.
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