Posted in Military & Defense

Flock Safety Raises $275M to Boost Drone Expansion

on

Flock Safety Secures $275M Funding, Accelerates Drone Expansion

March 20, 2025 by Miriam McNabb

Flock Safety, a pioneering public safety technology firm based in Atlanta, has successfully raised $275 million in a new funding round led by Andreessen Horowitz, boosting its total valuation to an impressive $7.5 billion. This latest financing was also reinforced by notable investors such as Greenoaks Capital and Bedrock Capital, marking a significant milestone for the company after a year characterized by meteoric growth, with its annual recurring revenue (ARR) surpassing $300 million and partnerships expanding to 4,800 law enforcement agencies across the U.S.

Strategic Entry into Drone Technology with Aerodome Acquisition

In October 2024, Flock Safety made a strategic move to enhance its technological capabilities by acquiring Aerodome, a leader in the Drone as First Responder (DFR) sector, in a deal exceeding $300 million. This acquisition positions Flock Safety as a key player in the realm of drone-based public safety solutions.

Integration plans are ambitious and include:

  • Combining Aerodome’s automated Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drones with Flock’s current surveillance infrastructure, which consists of license plate readers and high-tech cameras.
  • Implementing advanced detect-and-avoid systems along with automated battery-swapping docking stations to ensure round-the-clock operations.

Rahul Sidhu, co-founder of Aerodome, is now steering Flock’s aviation division, concentrating on scalable DFR initiatives aimed at reducing response times to a mere 86 seconds while covering a radius of 4 miles.

FAA Approval Signals Regulatory Breakthrough

January 2025 marked a significant achievement as the Elk Grove Police Department in California became the first agency to obtain an FAA waiver allowing the operation of Flock Aerodome drones. This waiver permits drone flights up to 400 feet, providing comprehensive citywide surveillance capabilities. The integration with existing ground-based surveillance systems also fosters enhanced situational awareness, reduces noise pollution, and heightens safety measures for first responders. This accomplishment signifies an essential advance towards the widespread acceptance of remotely piloted DFR systems, which Flock describes as “DFR 2.0.”

National Security and Domestic Manufacturing Push

In light of increasing calls to minimize dependence on drones manufactured in China, Flock Safety is taking steps to develop and produce a range of American-made drones. This initiative responds directly to U.S. officials’ concerns regarding the potential security threats posed by Chinese drone technology.

Flock’s strategy for drone development prioritizes:

  • Adherence to full NDAA compliance to satisfy the standards set by the Department of Defense and Homeland Security.
  • Ensuring compatibility with existing law enforcement infrastructure.
  • Plans to recruit over 200 engineers and manufacturing personnel based in the U.S. in 2025.
  • The construction of a new manufacturing facility spanning 100,000 square feet in Georgia.

Looking Ahead

With CFO Brandon Simins navigating a potential IPO and a workforce of more than 1,300 employees, Flock Safety is poised to take the lead in the $50 billion public safety technology market. Their commitment to AI-driven investigative tools alongside domestically produced drone systems reflects an industry trend toward integrated and secure solutions.

“Our goal is to create a seamless safety ecosystem—protecting communities without sacrificing ethical manufacturing practices or privacy,” expressed a spokesperson from Flock Safety.

As of March 2025, Flock’s technologies are deployed in over 5,000 communities throughout the U.S., with plans to roll out drone programs in 100 additional cities by 2026.

Stay Updated

For regular updates on drone technology and developments, consider subscribing to daily updates from DRONELIFE.

Read more about:

Original Article

US Army Corps of Engineers Utilizes SimActive’s Correlator3D for Coastal Corridor Exploration

Defense Innovation Unit Enhances Blue UAS Program with Additional Platforms and Features