DedroneBeyond and the Future of BVLOS: Why Tested Technology Matters in the New FAA COW Era

Understanding the FAA’s COW Process, the Role of Ground-Based DAA, and the Path to Scalable, Risk-Mitigation-Driven Drone-as-First-Responder Operations

Drone as First Responder (DFR) programs are no longer experimental. They are essential. As agencies scale these programs, the FAA’s evolving regulatory framework makes Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations up to 400 feet AGL more feasible—while introducing new operational and regulatory considerations. Ensuring safety at scale depends on tested, validated systems.

As public safety agencies increasingly adopt DFR programs, the conversation is shifting from “Can we do this?” to “How can we do this safely and legally, at scale?” The answer lies in a mix of regulatory evolution and technology validation.

One of the most significant regulatory changes is the FAA’s new Certificate of Waiver (COW) process, which is designed to streamline the path to BVLOS for Public Safety Organizations (PSO) by shifting from case-by-case Certificates of Authorization (COA) to a more scalable Certificate of Waiver framework. But even with this new, faster process, a core responsibility remains: protecting lives both on the ground and in the air. Agencies must be confident their operations introduce no new risk to nearby communities and crewed aircraft sharing the same airspace.

That’s why tested technology, like DedroneBeyond, is not optional, it’s essential.

What is the FAA’s New COW Process?

The FAA’s new COW process streamlines BVLOS approvals for systems that demonstrate repeatable, validated safety performance. It’s designed to help public safety agencies scale faster by reducing the need for case-by-case approvals—without compromising on safety.

Traditionally, agencies needed a Certificate of Authorization (COA) for each operation, tied to a specific location. Each COA required extensive, location-specific risk analysis.

The COW (Certificate of Waiver) framework changes that. Instead of evaluating every mission and site individually, the FAA can grant broader approvals based on a system’s demonstrated performance. If your technology meets FAA and ASTM standards for detect-and-avoid (DAA) and airspace awareness—and you can show consistent, validated results—it may be used across jurisdictions with minimal re-approval.

In short: COW is about proving your technology works safely, consistently—then reusing that proof to speed future approvals.

But speed doesn’t mean shortcuts. COW doesn’t replace safety requirements—it assumes them. The FAA expects that operators using the COW pathway are bringing validated systems and trained personnel to the table. That places a clear duty of care on agencies: choose proven, independently verified solutions that meet FAA-defined safety thresholds.

DedroneBeyond: The First Ground-Based DAA System Independently Validated to FAA-Aligned ASTM Standards

DedroneBeyond is a ground-based BVLOS detect-and-avoid (DAA) system that has undergone independent third-party performance testing. The evaluation was conducted by Virginia Tech’s Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership (MAAP), an FAA-designated UAS test site, using the ASTM F3442M-23 standard for long-range detection and airspace risk assessment based on well clear boundaries.

DedroneBeyond is the first ground-based system to complete independent third-party validation to this FAA-aligned standard. While other detect-and-avoid solutions are in development, no other provider has released comparable validation results under ASTM F3442M-23.

This evaluation sets a benchmark for how long-range ground-based DAA systems can help public safety agencies scale BVLOS operations safely, effectively, and with confidence.

Key Performance Metrics From Independent Testing Conducted at Virginia Tech MAAP

The following metrics were recorded during the third-party testing process. These aren’t just technical figures—they represent how much time and space public safety teams have to detect aircraft early and make critical decisions in mixed-use airspace.

Note: These results reflect testing conducted with a Diamond DA40 fixed-wing aircraft and a Bell 206 helicopter. DedroneBeyond demonstrated a mean first detection range of 9.45 km and achieved a missed detection probability of 0.0—meaning all aircraft in the test scenarios were successfully detected.

What These Metrics Mean:

• Mean First Detection Range: Average distance at which approaching aircraft were detected—greater range gives more time to respond.
• Missed Detection Probability: The percentage of aircraft not detected. A value of 0.0 means every aircraft in testing was successfully detected.
• NMAC Operational Volume: The 3D area where the risk of a near mid-air collision (<500 ft separation) is assessed.
• WC (Well Clear) Operational Volume: The space where aircraft maintain a safe distance—larger volumes improve mission safety margins.
• Long-Range Radar vs. Long-Range Radar+: Baseline and enhanced radar setups used in testing to measure performance across different configurations.

These results showed well clear distances of approximately 9 km (5.6 mi))—significantly larger than the minimum required to meet ASTM-defined safety thresholds. This extended range supports safer, more confident decision-making in dynamic DFR environments. DedroneBeyond supports public safety agencies in building airspace awareness for safer, FAA-aligned BVLOS operations from 0 to 400 feet AGL.

Well-Clear (WC) Boundary Definition

It’s Not Just About the Sensors

Sensors play an important role in BVLOS DAA, but raw sensor specs, like range or field of view, don’t tell the full story. In the Virginia Tech MAAP testing, DedroneBeyond’s validated performance wasn’t just about detection range, it was the result of a fully integrated system, including sensor-fusion, custom alerting logic, and tuned avoidance behavior built specifically for DFR operations.

Other solutions may use similar sensor hardware, but DedroneBeyond is the leading long-range detect-and-avoid system with independent third-party validation to FAA-aligned ASTM F3442M-23 standards. These results are tied to how the system works as a whole, not just the components in it.

The Responsibility of Safety: Airspace Is Shared

When public safety agencies fly drones, they are operating in mixed-use airspace, shared with low-flying crewed aircraft like helicopters, medical flights, and general aviation pilots. Additionally, these missions often take place directly above populated areas.This dual-risk environment places a duty of care on operators—a responsibility to protect the public below, the aircraft nearby, and the mission in progress.

• Responsibility to the public below: Use validated systems that provide reliable airspace awareness to help prevent unintended risks to people on the ground.
• To the aircraft nearby: Provide early, accurate alerts of nearby aircraft, so DFR operations can yield or abort if well clear boundary is threatened
• To the mission: Use a system that integrates seamlessly with dispatch, command centers, and operators

Why This Matters Now

Agencies building or scaling DFR programs can’t afford to risk unproven tools—or lose momentum waiting on slow approvals. Validated systems clear the path to faster deployment and lasting impact. The FAA’s COW process has made it faster to get approvals, but only for operators who bring a validated safety case to the table. Validation builds credibility with internal stakeholders, regulators, and the public, laying the groundwork for sustainable, scalable DFR programs.

Dedrone by Axon has invested in the technology and the consequent performance validation, to do this right.

Michael J. Bouchard, Sheriff of Oakland County, Michigan, put it clearly:

“This collaboration opens the door to exploring BVLOS operations, offering the potential to transform the way we respond to emergencies and keep our community safe.”

Take Action: Build with Trust

If you’re building or expanding a DFR program, the clearest path to operational scale is reducing uncertainty. DedroneBeyond helps de-risk your program and build a foundation for long-term sustainability and ROI.

You bring the mission. We bring the proven tech, validated CONOPS, and real-world experience to guide you through a successful FAA COW process.

Terminology

WC: Well Clear
NMAC: Near Mid-Air Collision
LR: Loss of Well Clear Boundary Risk
RR: NMAC Risk Ratio
LoWC: Loss of Well Clear
Enc: Encounter

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Agencies should consult with qualified legal counsel for guidance specific to their operational and regulatory requirements.