Florida Polytechnic University has unveiled a flying police vehicle that could soon carry officers over its Lakeland campus and into emergency situations that traditional patrol cars cannot easily reach.
The battery-powered aircraft, named Astro, is a single-seat Jetson ONE capable of vertical takeoff and landing without a runway. The university announced its arrival on October 20, calling its police department the first law enforcement agency in the country to incorporate such aircraft.
Unlike a police drone, Astro can carry an officer directly to an emergency. The university plans to use it for searches, disaster recovery, and the delivery of emergency supplies to difficult-to-reach locations.
However, the aircraft is not yet cleared for regular police operations. Florida Poly is awaiting final approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) before putting Astro into service.
Meet Astro
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The aircraft was developed by California-based Jetson, which confirmed in an October 20 announcement that it had delivered Astro to the university earlier this summer.
Astro can fly for approximately 20 minutes on a charge, according to Jetson’s published specifications. Local television station WFLA reported that the aircraft costs about $150,000.
Police Chief Aaron Murray sees the technology as particularly useful when officers need to respond to emergencies across the campus and surrounding land.
In an interview with WFLA, Murray described situations involving missing people or downed aircraft in areas covering thousands of acres. Astro could help officers reach those locations rather than simply observe them from above.
The university’s official announcement also identified monitoring campus grounds, responding after storms, and delivering emergency supplies as potential uses.
Police Training Underway
Jetson confirmed that several university police officers, including Murray, have completed pilot training.
The aircraft carries the registration N911FP, a reference to emergency services and Florida Polytechnic. Its nickname comes from Astro, the dog in the animated television series *The Jetsons*.
Jetson CEO Stéphan D’haene said the manufacturer moved Florida Poly’s order ahead of its three-year waiting list because of the university’s engineering focus and plans to use the aircraft for public safety.
The department also intends to work with regional law enforcement agencies on emergency-response missions once the necessary federal authorization is secured.
Students Get Involved
Astro will serve another purpose beyond police operations: giving engineering students experience with emerging aviation technology.
WFLA reported that students are helping modify the aircraft and develop a flight simulator. They will also analyze flight data and study ways to improve the vehicle’s efficiency.
Florida Poly introduced an aerospace engineering degree in fall 2026, and the aircraft will provide students with practical opportunities to study advanced air mobility.
Meanwhile, the university has already added a police drone unit and a student-operated cybersecurity center.
Jetson plans to publicly display Astro at the UP. Summit event at Kennedy Space Center on November 7 and 8, while Florida Poly continues working toward federal approval for operational police flights.