Drone use at BOS continues to gain ground
Frankfurt, 25.07.2024 - There are no major surprises when it comes to the benefits associated with drones - but there are when it comes to the biggest challenges that authorities and organizations with security tasks (BOS) see when it comes to drone use. The third BOS survey by Droniq GmbH, which was conducted this year together with the Frankfurt am Main Fire Department and the Johanniter Rhein-Main, shows the current state of drone use at BOS.
A total of 221 BOS forces across Germany took part in the survey. Drone use at BOS continues to increase. 85% of the BOS surveyed use drones - nine percentage points more than in the last BOS survey from 2022 (76%). For 43%, the drone is a permanent means of deployment in the first march. The third survey and evaluation by Frankfurt-based Droniq clearly shows that the path taken in 2012 of using an "aerial reconnaissance copter" was the right one, even if it was ridiculed at the beginning," says Matthias Schneider, fire officer at the Frankfurt am Main professional fire department.
Usual use
There are no changes in drone use compared to 2022. In 2024, drones will continue to be used primarily for reconnaissance and reconnaissance work (40%) and for searching for people (38%). In addition to speed (27%), BOS particularly value the drone's ability to expand its area of use (30%). There is no clear preference when it comes to the data that can be collected using the drone. The focus on images (35%), temperature or heat signatures (33%) or live videos (31%) is almost equally distributed.
Focus on usability
With regard to the preferred drone characteristics, BOS primarily mention aspects that relate to the reliability of the drone in use. The aspects "resistance" (81%), wind resistance (74%) and "long flight time" (60%) are rated as "very important". Market leader DJI dominates when it comes to the drone models used: 88% of the drone types used come from the Chinese company. The BOS most frequently use drones from the Mavic 2 series (22%) and the Matrice 30 series (19%).
Decrease in the creation of deployment and / or operating concepts
Drone technology is not new territory for BOS: over 80% have been using drones for a year or more. 85% of the BOS forces surveyed have an operational concept (16%), a deployment concept (35%) or both (34%). This figure is down on 2022 (90%). The situation is different for training. The strong professionalization of the BOS continues here. 99% of respondents state that they are trained or certified for their operations (2022: 98%).
"BVLOS" on the rise
The positive change in mission execution continues. 26% of the BOS surveyed primarily carry out missions in which the drone is flown beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS). In 2022, this proportion was still 19%. "Only when drones are flown beyond visual line of sight can they show their full potential," explains Droniq CEO Jan-Eric Putze. "The increase in BVLOS deployments shows that drone use at BOS is becoming more professional. We would like to see the same for industrial drone use."
Different challenges
When it comes to the two biggest challenges that BOS see in drone use, the field is divided: emergency services that already use drones primarily see issues that affect the actual use of drones in the foreground. At the forefront here are the topics of "airspace observation & coordination with other air traffic" (20%) and "tactical integration of the drone" (18%). Airspace observation is consistent with the finding that 74% of BOS have to coordinate drone operations with manned air traffic.
The situation is different for BOS units that do not currently use drones. Of the 32 BOS units in total, over two thirds (69%) are planning to use drones in the future. The main challenges for this are currently seen as the search for a suitable drone for regular or continuous operation (25%) and the adaptation of drone operations to new legal or regulatory requirements (18%).
Press photos
Press contacts
Droniq GmbH
Phil Stephan
Phone: +49 171 6099 747
E-Mail: phil.stephan@droniq.de
Frankfurt am Main Fire Department
Information and Communication Management
Phone: +49 69 212-726309
E-mail: pressestelle.feuerwehr@stadt-frankfurt.de
Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe e. V. Regionalverband Rhein-Main
Monika Gorny
Phone +49 69 366 006 -602
E-mail: monika.gorny@johanniter.de
About the Frankfurt am Main Fire Department
The Frankfurt am Main Fire Department is Office 37 within the city administration. It is subordinate to Department IX - Order, Security and Fire Protection. With around 1,200 full-time employees, it is one of the largest offices within the city administration of Frankfurt am Main. The Fire Department is the public fire department of the city of Frankfurt am Main and is made up of the professional fire department and 28 volunteer fire departments as well as the rescue dog squadron. Together they form the Frankfurt am Main Fire Department.
The Frankfurt am Main Fire Department is a highly modern, professional and innovative organization. The employees and volunteer firefighters are committed to protecting Frankfurt am Main 24 hours a day, 365 days a year in a wide variety of areas with their professionalism and passion.
Further information at www.feuerwehr-frankfurt.de
About the Rhine-Main Regional Association of Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe e. V.
The Rhine-Main Regional Association has its headquarters in Frankfurt Nieder-Eschbach and covers the Frankfurt/Rhine-Main metropolitan region and the Wetterau, Hochtaunus and Main-Taunus districts. The regional association includes nine rescue stations as well as the state-recognized Johanniter Training and Education Center (JATZ), first aid training, four daycare centers, five shelters for refugees, the home emergency call and menu service, and outpatient care (Johanniter-Cronstetten-Altenhilfe). On a voluntary basis, the Johanniter provide medical services, civil protection, Lacrima Rhein-Main (bereavement support for children), the SALT (Staging Area Logistics and Training), which is a center of Johanniter International Assistance and is affiliated to its logistics department, the SAR unit (Search & Rescue) with the independent components: Quad Squadron, Drone Squadron and the High Altitude Rescue. The regional association is part of the Frankfurt and Wetterau disaster control, and the Johanniter also manage the Competence Center for European Civil Protection (EUCC) in Frankfurt.
About Droniq GmbH
Droniq GmbH is a joint venture founded in 2019 by DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung (51% share) and Deutsche Telekom (49% share). Based in Frankfurt am Main, the company's mission is to promote the professional and safe use of drones by public authorities and organizations with security tasks, as well as by companies.
The core of Droniq's product offering is the Droniq Traffic Management System for Drones (UTM). The UTM shows the pilot all surrounding air traffic - manned and unmanned. Furthermore, the other air traffic participants can also see the drone if necessary. With this system, which is unique in Germany, Droniq creates the basis for using drones safely beyond visual range.
Other services offered by Droniq include the sale of drones for commercial and official drone use as well as hardware and software solutions for safe operation. It also supports its customers in applying for operating licenses and advises on mission planning. With its Droniq Academy in Frankfurt and Mönchengladbach, among other locations, the company also offers the opportunity to complete training courses and examinations for remote pilots. Droniq's customers include federal and state police units as well as fire departments, rescue services and companies from the chemical, logistics, construction and security sectors.
