Florida Poly Police Unveil First Law Enforcement eVTOL
Florida Polytechnic University Police Department integrated a Jetson ONE electric flying vehicle for campus patrols and emergency response, marking a first for U.S. law enforcement.
The Florida Polytechnic University Police Department unveiled Astro, a single-seat Jetson ONE electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, on October 20, 2026, in Lakeland, Florida. The university paid approximately $150,000 for the vehicle, which can reach altitudes of 400 feet and remain airborne for about 20 minutes. The aircraft is designed for campus monitoring, search operations, emergency supply delivery, and storm recovery in areas inaccessible to ground vehicles.
While the university claims to be the first law enforcement agency in the United States to integrate such a vehicle, Astro cannot begin official police duties until it receives final approval from the Federal Aviation Administration, which is expected between November and December. In the interim, the aircraft serves as a research tool for the university's new aerospace engineering degree program, allowing students and faculty to study flight data and advanced air mobility.
Jetson CEO Stéphan D’haene prioritized the university's order to move the technology beyond recreational use. The initiative aligns with Florida's broader push for advanced air mobility, supported by the state's participation in an FAA integration pilot program and the passage of HB 1093, which establishes a framework for electric flying taxis and vertiports.
