***MEDIA RELEASE***Travis Air Force Base, Easy Aerial partner for autonomous drone-based security operations

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TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – The 60th Air Mobility Wing, 60th Security Forces Squadron, in conjunction with Easy Aerial, a commercial provider of autonomous drone-based monitoring solutions, has developed and deployed the first automated drone-based monitoring and perimeter security system for a United States Air Force (USAF) installation.

The Smart Air Force Monitoring System (SAFMS) free-flight drone-in-a-box solution, along with a tethered (SAFMS-T) version, was developed by Easy Aerial and the USAF in a span of just two years. The work was done under a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II program and conforms to the Air Force Base Perimeter Security and Situational Awareness operational requirements.

“Easy Aerial’s unmanned aerial systems are a game-changer,” said MSgt Joshua Hicks, Travis AFB 60th SFS small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) instructor. “This jointly developed technology will provide unparalleled security and safety for our airmen and critical assets. They will potentially save lives and will save time, effort, and resources as we continue to expand our training and operations across the base.”

SAFMS and SAFMS-T have been configured to ensure Travis AFB has options for an immediate eye-in-the-sky that can be deployed in a matter of seconds. Upon receiving a security trigger such as a fence alarm, fire alarm or other distress calls, the SAFMS can deploy from its base station automatically and autonomously navigating to the trigger site location. The SAFMS autonomously returns to protective base station upon mission completion, where it recharges and waits for the next scheduled patrol or security-triggered mission.