The FBI is exploring a new generation of small drones equipped with on-board artificial intelligence to support tactical operations. An unclassified Request for Information (RFI) describes an “artificial intelligence-enabled” small Unmanned Aircraft System that can perform real-time detection and tracking of people, vehicles, and objects of interest during domestic missions.
The Bureau is seeking platforms that can run multiple computer vision models at the edge, including person detection and tracking, license plate recognition, vehicle make and model identification, and recognition of firearms or other threat objects. The RFI points to modular AI models that can be updated over the air, with secure data links to existing FBI systems. Operational requirements include low acoustic signature, sufficient battery life for persistent overwatch, and the ability to function in GPS-degraded environments.
The document suggests that some of these drones may be tethered to enable extended observation. It also indicates potential integration with biometric and analytic tools, including facial matching against watchlists and automated tracking of individuals across multiple scenes. That would take capabilities that have typically been tied to fixed camera networks or back-end analytics and move them onto highly mobile platforms that can be deployed by SWAT and other tactical teams.
The initiative reflects growing demand from law enforcement for sensor platforms that can process large volumes of visual data without relying solely on human operators. At the same time, the prospect of AI-driven facial recognition and license plate tracking from aerial devices is likely to extend existing debates around oversight, data retention, and the conditions under which such systems can be used in domestic settings.
Source: DroneXL
—
By the ID Tech Editorial Team
