Draganfly integrates ARTEMIS cellphone detection for Swedish SAR operations

Draganfly announced that its APEX and Commander 3XL unmanned aircraft systems have been integrated with Smith Myers ARTEMIS mobile phone detection and location systems for Search and Rescue Sweden. Flight trials used ARTEMIS payload variants ranging from about 0.52 kg to 10 kg and exercised full search-and-rescue workflows from detection and localization through mapping and ground-team coordination.

Testing verified mechanical and software integration, and showed stable flight performance even with heavier payloads and in challenging weather conditions. The ARTEMIS unit used in the trials supports up to 48 cellular bands and offers a maximum detection range of roughly 35 km, enabling broad signal coverage for locating mobile devices in wilderness and urban-edge scenarios. The joint work also validated end-to-end mission capabilities such as data relay to ground teams and generation of operational maps suitable for search crews.

For local racers and club pilots, the technical takeaway is simple: heavier, sensor-rich UAS are becoming routine tools for public-safety work. That normalization matters on race day and at practice sessions because official UAS flights carrying detection payloads change the risk picture in the same airspace where FPV lanes and freestyle zones operate. Expect more frequent official flights near rescue incidents, and plan for altered permissions, temporary flight restrictions, and coordinated airspace management when public-safety assets are active.

Practical steps to reduce friction are straightforward. Verify NOTAMs and airspace notices before events, and add a checklist item to confirm whether public-safety UAS might be present during your window. Coordinate with local SAR and police liaisons, and update your event safety brief to include procedures for yielding airspace and ground-team communication protocols. Consider contingency plans for frequency clutter and telemetry interference when high-gain sensor suites and data-relay links are operating nearby. Race directors should review insurance and waiver language to cover potential overlaps with authorized public-safety operations.

This integration also signals a capacity shift: platforms like APEX and Commander 3XL can now carry purpose-built detection payloads that extend mission reach and endurance. That affects how clubs evaluate venue selection, emergency response plans, and relations with local authorities. Knowing who to call and how your race footprint looks from above will save time and keep events rolling.

The takeaway? Treat public-safety UAS as another stakeholder in your airspace. Update your event plans, lock down preflight coordination, and keep your props and permissions in order so you can focus on clean lines and fast laps while official rescue flights do their work. Our two cents? Build a simple liaison routine now—phone numbers, preferred comms, and an agreed yield protocol—and you’ll avoid grounded heats when it counts.