Replacing DJI drones in a police or sheriff's department.

Published 2026-09-05

What the DJI aircraft did

• Eyes on a scene before the first officer arrives
• Perimeter and crowd assessment at planned events
• Search for a missing person across open ground
• Crash and crime scene documentation
• Hazmat and fire perimeters without exposing an officer

What replaces it today

The Corvin complete kit replaces the patrol-car Mavic for the look-before-you-arrive jobs: a compact reconnaissance aircraft with up to 22 minutes of flight, flown within visual line of sight by a certified officer. The complete kit is $2,999, built to order in Tulsa, Oklahoma, without Section 889 covered components.

What replaces the rest, and when

The Spector replaces a Matrice: dock-capable, thermal and zoom optics, built for response from a station roof. It is in development at a published bundle price with reservations open; specifications are targets until flight testing is complete. Spector bundle $34,999; Ranger bundle $22,000; reservation fee $5,000 each.

The rules and the clock

Existing DJI aircraft stay legal to fly, with updates through at least January 1, 2029. New foreign models cannot receive FCC authorization since December 22, 2025, and federal funds cannot buy them. Imported drones and parts carry Section 232 tariffs of 25 to 100 percent since September 3, 2026. Plan the replacement on your budget cycle, not in the 2028 queue.

How to pay for it

Byrne JAG through your state, the COPS Office's 2026 drone priority, or the Homeland Security Grant Program through your state office. Every one of them requires compliant aircraft now. Details on the Public safety grants page.

Questions buyers ask

Can we keep flying our Mavics on patrol?

Yes. Existing aircraft stay legal and receive updates through at least January 1, 2029. Plan the replacement on your budget cycle rather than in the 2028 queue.

Does the Corvin do what the Mavic did?

For the look-at-the-scene jobs, yes, and it is built to be repaired by your own people. It does not carry the Mavic's integrated zoom camera; a camera gimbal is an accessory. For thermal and zoom, the Spector is the aircraft, when it ships.

What about a drone-as-first-responder program?

That is a dock-based, dispatch-integrated program, and it costs six figures a year from the incumbents. The Spector with CorCommand is EnCor's version, in development. Start with the patrol aircraft and prove the value first.