Using AR for Drug Enforcement

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07The Augmented reality technology (AR) superimposes computer-generated information over the device wearer’s views of the real world. Now, the US Drug Enforcement Administration is looking to use AR for mission management in drug enforcement.

DEA’s Aviation Division and other Justice Department components are looking to buy an Augmented Reality Mapping System, or ARS, for government aircraft. “The ARS shall provide a mission management system that will enhance situational awareness by overlaying street names, addresses, parcel data, business names and landmarks of importance directly over live video from the imager,” according to a recently released solicitation.

Features expected in the proposed system include high-resolution aerial synthetic imagery, mapping data of the entire U.S. and Mexico border 50 miles wide—and more.

The Defense and Veterans Affairs departments, and DEA among others, are already deploying augmented and virtual reality capabilities in the federal space. 

In its notice, the drug-hunting administration confirmed it’s using the Shotover Systems ARS, a real-time augmented reality mapping system for airborne law enforcement, search and rescue, and aerial firefighting missions, “in conjunction with DEA airborne imaging systems for observation and surveillance to support ground-based enforcement personnel with recorded video evidence.” 

Officials aim to continue to turn to that product, or another with equal or more capabilities, according to nextgov.com.