Law enforcement UAV wanted in Fort Jackson, S.C.

The Army is eyeing options for an unmanned aerial vehicle for local police and law enforcement officials in Fort Jackson, S.C., to carry out search and tracking operations, contract databases reveal.

“The UAV will allow police officers, military police and law enforcement personnel to conduct aerial surveillance/reconnaissance, search for missing persons, monitor dangerous situations and conduct damage assessment from a distance,” the solicitation states.

The tender, which closed Sept. 21, comes as the Federal Aviation Administration has been cleared to integrate drone aircraft for widespread use in U.S. domestic airspace. The FAA is under pressure to give civilian drones routine access to U.S. skies by 2015. The largest demand for domestic drones is expected to come from state and local police departments.