OKLAHOMA –
The Oklahoma Department of Public Safety Commissioner Tim Tipton said on Monday the new fleet was only the beginning. The state will continue to add more drone detection systems to keep up with the ever-changing technology.
The skies over the state are now under the watch of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. The state recently bought four drone detection systems.
“We’ve got them kind of strategically located around the state,” said Tim Tipton, Oklahoma Department of Public Safety Commissioner. “In areas that the state house what we consider critical infrastructure whether it be refineries or power generating facilities.”
Lieutenant Scott Patton demonstrates how the system works if it is ever needed for investigations. Once the drone is in the air the detection tower sends back information to the Trooper.
“It will detect a drone being launched wherever the drone is and it will also give us a location of where the remote controller is,” said Lt. Scott Patton, Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
Patton said the system can tell them the drone’s elevation, flight pattern, and serial number. If the drone controller is over restricted airspace the OHP reports that to the federal government.
“We’ll take that data we get with these and work with our FAA partners,” said Tipton.
If the OHP considers the drone harmless Patton said it becomes an educational opportunity for the controller.
“We can instruct them and give them information that ‘Hey you’re not supposed to be here and here’s the app you can go to it will give you areas where you can’t fly and where you can fly,” said Patton.
Tipton said the drone detection system cost the state about $30,000, the funding coming from the federal Department of Homeland Security.
OHP does not have the authority to destroy or remove drones flying over critical infrastructure, only federal agencies can do that.
