BRINC unveils Guardian, a Starlink-connected emergency response drone built for round-the-clock deployment
BRINC has launched Guardian, its most advanced 911 response drone yet, adding Starlink connectivity and automated battery swapping to push drone-first emergency operations closer to continuous service.
The new aircraft is aimed at Drone as First Responder programs, where drones are sent to incidents before ground crews arrive. BRINC said Guardian is the first drone equipped with Starlink, allowing it to maintain communications in areas where cellular networks or other conventional links are weak or unavailable. Paired with the company’s Guardian Station, a robotic charging nest, the system can swap batteries and redeploy without human intervention. That removes the roughly 25-minute charging pause common in many current DFR operations and gives agencies a path to 24/7 readiness.
Guardian is also designed to tailor missions to the emergency at hand. The system can automatically select and load payloads such as defibrillators, Narcan, or flotation devices before launch. BRINC said the drone can fly up to eight miles and stay airborne for as long as 62 minutes, well beyond the range typically associated with many public safety drones. It is rated to IP55 for weather resistance and carries a sensor suite built for demanding field work, including 4K video, 640x zoom, dual HD thermal cameras, a 1,000-lumen spotlight, and a laser rangefinder. A loudspeaker and siren are included to support coordination with people on the ground.
The company is also positioning Guardian as part of a wider public safety software stack rather than a standalone aircraft. Through a partnership with Motorola Solutions, the drone integrates with CommandCentral Aware, where Assist AI can help analyze 911 calls and support dispatch decisions. It can also be launched through emergency alerts from APX NEXT radios. BRINC said the Guardian rollout coincides with expanded manufacturing capacity at a new Seattle facility and continued reliance on a vertically integrated U.S.-based supply chain. For police, fire, and EMS agencies, the launch signals a broader shift toward drones that can stay available longer, operate farther from base, and take on more front-line work when every minute matters.