Schools in Florida, Georgia, and Colorado are rolling out a new generation of anti-shooter drones this school year, with supporters arguing the technology could save lives by reaching armed attackers in seconds during an active shooting.
At least nine schools — three in Florida, five in Georgia, and one in Colorado — will participate in pilot programs using drones developed by Texas-based Campus Guardian Angel, formerly known as Mithril Defense, The Washington Post reported Tuesday.
The drones can be launched by teachers using panic buttons or a mobile app and are remotely piloted by trained operators.
The aircraft are designed to reach an active shooter within about 15 seconds.
They can flash strobe lights, sound sirens, spray pepper gel, and even ram a suspect at speeds approaching 60 mph in an effort to distract or incapacitate the attacker until law enforcement arrives.
"The first 120 seconds are incredibly critical because that's when most of the shooting happens," Campus Guardian Angel CEO Justin Marston told the Post, saying the 2022 massacre at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, inspired the project.
Florida lawmakers recently approved an additional $564,500 for the program, bringing the state's investment to more than $1.1 million over two years.
The drones are already slated for schools in Volusia, Broward, and Leon counties, including Deltona High School, Boyd H. Anderson High School, and Godby High School, News4JAX reported.
Marston said the company's goals are to launch a drone within five seconds, reach a shooter in 15 seconds, and neutralize the threat within one minute.
The drones are operated by former Navy SEALs, SWAT officers, emergency responders, and professional drone pilots.
Colorado's John Adams Academy also plans to install the system before students arrive this fall.
School officials say the drones will complement other security measures, including armed staff members and, they hope, a school resource officer.
"We're looking at just any tool that we have in our toolbox that can help us if there were ever a critical incident in school," Headmaster Sarah Kiesewetter told CBS News.
Critics, however, question whether the technology is ready for widespread use.
School safety consultant Curtis Lavarello told the Post he worries a remotely operated drone could mistakenly target an innocent student or responding police officer during the confusion of an active shooting.
Other parents in Colorado voiced concerns that the systems remain untested in a real-world attack and raise ethical and legal questions.
Meanwhile, Atlanta Public Schools is expanding its own security efforts with a new tactical response unit and a separate drone unit to provide aerial support during emergencies, according to FOX 5 Atlanta.
District Police Chief Ronald Applin said the goal is to ensure officers are prepared to respond immediately to violent threats while providing a safer environment for students and staff.