Features of the LOKI Mk2—such as the ability to deliver communications devices for negotiations, locate hazards, and view the layout of the building—can help officers gain further information if they are required to enter the building. With fully shielded rotors and a rugged construction, the LOKI Mk2 can also be crashed without worry.

The LOKI Mk2 also boasts a range of gear built specifically for its housing and deployment. In collaboration with PROJECT7 ARMOR, another brainchild of Becker’s, Sky-Hero’s LOKI Mk2 can be carried hands-free in the ILB-LOKI backpack, which houses and provides an operating platform for up to two LOKIs. In addition, the PROJECT7 LOKI Vest Integration System (LVIS) is a practical solution for housing the GCS because it mounts directly to armor systems via MOLLE/PALS, providing protection and concealment to the GCS.

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One crucial aspect of conducting successful drone missions and building a comprehensive drone program is having trained pilots and operators at the helm.

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They’re the eyes in the sky for law enforcement, fire departments, and emergency management teams, providing real-time visuals that change the game in disaster response.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is at the forefront of this, working to develop standards for drone operations that response agencies can adopt.

Recognized with an Innovation Award at Milipol Paris 2021, the LOKI Mk2 is the first drone of its kind to be purpose-built for the unique function it performs—to serve special tactics teams in a highly secure way.

When most people think about Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) in the context of law enforcement, dystopian images are likely what come to mind. The influence of popular media has played its part in this, such as when movies or television programs feature quadcopters that conduct unwarranted surveillance and chase down protagonists with lethal weapons.

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Australia Bushfires, 2020: During the catastrophic bushfires in Australia in 2020, Unmanned Aerial Systems were used to drop fire retardant and water on the fires, helping to protect homes and save lives. The drones also provided real-time information to firefighters on the ground, allowing them to coordinate their efforts better. Read more

For now, each operator can only fly a single drone. However, with the advent of autonomous drones, the mission can end up flying multiple drones or swarms of drones, which could provide even more complete situational awareness than is available today.

From navigating through dense smoke during wildfires to assessing structural damage in the aftermath of an earthquake, drones are the silent heroes in disaster management.

These specialists undergo extensive training to proficiently handle these advanced tools, allowing them to navigate challenging environments easily. The same is true for the fire department, whether using volunteer firefighters or full-time staff. Indeed, it’s true for all unmanned aircraft systems operations by every public safety agency.

Several manufacturers have stepped up to meet the demand for drone technology in the responder community. Here are a few key players:

With drones, first responders can gain situational awareness and map out disaster areas, allowing for more coordinated response times and effective allocation of resources.

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Recently, the quadcopter appeared in the Amazon series, The Terminal List, when a soldier deploys a sUAS known as the LOKI Mk2 to track down a character played by Chris Pratt. While it's cool to see the LOKI Mk2 take to the skies in the series, its actual use cases are lower to the ground and more interesting than any Hollywood script.

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Nepal Earthquake, 2015: Drones provided situational awareness and emergency services during the 2015 earthquake in Nepal. The drones helped provide real-time visual information during the disaster, aiding rescue and recovery efforts. Read more

“You can bounce it off walls and ceilings, fly it into attics, crawl spaces, under duct work—you can even fly it under furniture,” Aardvark Tactical CEO Jon Becker told Police magazine [Aardvark is the exclusive distributor of LOKI Mk2 in North America]. “Indoor tactical flight is a full-contact sport and often bouncing Loki off of the walls and floor is required to reach the objective.”

Elistair: Elistair specializes in tethered drone systems. Their ORION 2 is a persistent tethered UAS designed for autonomous 50-hour flights, providing continuous, timely, and actionable intelligence. This makes it ideal for surveillance and monitoring tasks in high-stress environments. They also offer SAFE-T 2 and LIGH-T 4, advanced tether stations compatible with various commercial drones, including DJI M300. Elistair

Chula Vista Police Department, California, USA: The Chula Vista Police Department launched a Drone as a First Responder (DFR) program that uses autonomous drones with artificial intelligence technology to respond to emergencies. The DFR program utilizes autonomous drones with artificial intelligence to fly to an emergency before manned aircraft and gather critical information for responders. The program has reduced response time and aided the responder community in Chula Vista. Read more

Parrot: Parrot’s ANAFI USA drone is a product of their collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security. It’s designed to meet the needs of law enforcement agencies and first responders, offering secure, robust, and easy-to-use drone solutions. Link to Parrot ANAFI USA

“We’re very excited about the capability that Loki Mk2 can bring to our operators," said Becker. "Although consumer sUAS systems certainly bring enhanced capability, there is nothing on the market that is purpose-built for tactical operations like LOKI. This system allows a pilot to put a camera anywhere, which prevents having to put an operator in harm’s way. I’m convinced this system will save countless lives.”

The real LOKI Mk2 from Sky-Hero is designed less for the skies, and functions instead as the eyes and ears in close-quartered indoor spaces for tactical teams in law enforcement and the military. Videos on social media of the LOKI will show footage of it sneaking through tight crawl spaces and under tables.

Its on-the-ground partner is the Sigyn Mk1—a purpose-built, rugged ground robot for mission-intelligence gathering over rugged terrain and in difficult-to-reach spaces. Like LOKI, Sigyn features a highly sensitive Day/Night camera, analog operation for secure data relay, and the ability to carry a large array of payloads. Both drone and robot are controlled by the GCS Controller and can be integrated with the Wrist Viewer Gauntlet.

What makes the LOKI even more unique is its seamless relay. The drone is operated via a highly efficient Ground Control System (GCS)—an entirely analog controller that has no lagging or freezing issues, preventing crashes and ensuring real-time intelligence. A single GCS can operate multiple LOKIs, allowing one pilot to gather intelligence on several areas at once. At the same time, other operators can follow the mission through the GCS or a unique Wrist Viewer Gauntlet.

Yuneec: Their H520 drone is a versatile, reliable unmanned aerial vehicle designed for critical operations. It’s particularly suited for use in disaster response and natural disaster scenarios. Link to Yuneec H520

These examples demonstrate the potential of drone technology in emergency response situations and highlight the significant impact it can have on saving lives.

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LOKI Mk2 was developed in NATO and NATO-allied countries in conjunction with several of the world’s top counterterrorism units. It is a rugged sUAS that can operate in a completely denied environment without internet service, GPS, phone or tablet connection, or cellular service.

Skydio: Skydio is a leading drone manufacturer known for its autonomous drones. The Skydio 2, for instance, is designed for recreational and commercial use, with autonomous flight capabilities and obstacle avoidance technology. It’s particularly suited for complex environments where manual control would be challenging. Skydio 2

As we continue to innovate and push the boundaries of what’s possible, there’s no doubt that drones will play an even more significant role in public safety and emergency response.

The LOKI Mk2 is an essential need within many SWAT and tactical teams because breaching a building comes with a high risk for everyone involved when not much is known about the suspect inside. The LOKI Mk2 can greatly reduce this risk by entering buildings in place of the officers.

Additionally, a trained officer, acting as a drone operator, can adapt to unforeseen circumstances, making quick decisions to maintain the missions’ effectiveness and safety.

As drone technology continues to advance, the role of trained operators will remain crucial to maximizing these tools’ benefits.

A skilled drone operator can make the most of a drone’s potential, using its features to collect precise data while minimizing risks to human life.

In addition to easy deployment—and by easy, we mean it can literally be thrown into the air—the LOKI Mk2 can operate in “happy dog mode,” which allows an operator to fly the drone into a room, turn it over, and switch on its IR lights for night vision.

However, the LOKI Mk2 went through years of technical refining at Sky-Hero to get to where it is today. Mk2 is the second generation of the widely used LOKI Mk1—which was the first sUAS specifically built for indoor tactical use. But the Mk1 couldn’t be operated by just anyone—it required an expert drone operator for flight. Additionally, it didn’t have the stabilization capability of its successor. The Mk2 features plenty of upgrades, but one of the most significant is its easy deployment and operation. For Sky-Hero, Becker, and AARDVARK, another significant improvement came in the form of a tactical robotics suite.

A note of caution. In the USA and other countries, drone use by First Responders and Emergency Responders who are government employees has seen some restrictions due to national security concerns. Specifically, DJI drones are not allowed among Federal and State employees. The limits are being debated, but most government agencies in the USA cannot deploy DJI drones.

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Since its entrance into the market in 2020, the LOKI Mk2 has been integrated into more than 1,000 teams across six continents, 47 U.S. states, and all ten Canadian provinces. This includes some of the top counter-terrorism units in the world.

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The LOKI Mk2 can be sent into buildings, rooms, or any potentially risky situation, and the worst thing that can happen is that the drone will be shot down. The LOKI Mk2 puts operator safety first by going first, and that is no small thing.

DJI: Known for its advanced UAS technology, DJI offers a range of drones designed specifically for public safety agencies. Their Matrice 300 RTK, for instance, is an autonomous drone equipped with artificial intelligence capabilities, providing enhanced situational awareness and precision in emergencies. Link to DJI Matrice 300 RTK

Overall, using drone technology for first responders has significant potential to improve the safety and effectiveness of our emergency response systems in the face of natural disasters or other emergencies.

Mexico Earthquake, 2017: After a devastating earthquake hit Mexico in 2017, drones were used to survey the damage and locate survivors. The unmanned aerial system could access areas that were too dangerous for rescue workers to enter, helping to save lives and speed up the recovery process. Read more

“The best thing about LOKI Mk2 is it just works,” a tactical drone team leader said. “In any environment or any circumstance, LOKI can get our team the information we need. It can be up and flying in seconds, and it can fly anywhere.”

Drone technology, also known as unmanned aerial systems or unmanned aerial vehicles, allows emergency responders such as law enforcement officers, firefighters, and volunteers to quickly and efficiently assess emergencies from the air.

By deploying autonomous drones equipped with artificial intelligence, they’ve managed to cut down response times and enhance safety for officers and the public.

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With advancements in artificial intelligence and autonomous operations, drones will become even more integral to emergency management.

Teledyne FLIR: Teledyne FLIR offers the SkyRanger R70, a drone developed for demanding UAS operations. The R70 sets a new benchmark for small UAS performance and reliability with its expanded carrying capacity, open architecture, advanced autonomy, and artificial intelligence. It’s designed to thrive in challenging environments, including those with limited GPS or communication capabilities. SkyRanger R70

The LOKI also requires no operator training for use. Its rugged, user-repairable cloverleaf body means it can take a beating and keep on ticking. It's even able to self-right in the event of a crash. Most importantly, it's mission capable in seconds. It can transition seamlessly from light to complete darkness with its forward-facing .0008 lux day/night camera.

North Carolina, USA: In 2018, a drone was used to locate and rescue an 11-year-old girl lost in the woods for more than 24 hours. The Drone was equipped with a thermal imaging camera, which helped to find the girl in the dense forest. Read more

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) plays a crucial role in ensuring the safe use of drones in emergency services.

The overarching purpose of the LOKI Mk2 is to make operations for tactical teams safer and more efficient. It was designed for total and virtually effortless integration within special tactics, law enforcement, and military units.