ZE Government Solutions Boosts Security for Joint Base Charleston's Summer Fest Concert

Deployment of ZeroEyes Awareness Kit (ZAK) on Unmanned Aerial System Enables Detection of Firearms and Unauthorized Personnel

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ZE Government Solutions (ZEGS), a wholly owned subsidiary of AI-based gun detection leader ZeroEyes, today announced that its new ZeroEyes Awareness Kit (ZAK), a drone featuring advanced built-in video analytics capabilities, which allows for real-time threat detection and early warning, was used to enhance security at Joint Base Charleston (JB - CHS)'s August 16 Summer Fest Concert. ZEGS rapidly deployed its computer vision software onboard an Easy Aerial tethered drone to augment security forces with overwatch capabilities, alerting the teams to any potential firearms or unauthorized personnel on the active flight line.

Joint Base Charleston is a U.S. military installation in South Carolina that serves as a hub for various military operations, including airlift and airdrop operations, naval nuclear training, and logistics support. Its annual Summer Fest concert is sponsored by Air Force Entertainment.

This announcement marks the first deployment of ZAK for real-time security in a real-world environment since its development as part of the Air Force Research Laboratory's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program. Set-up took less than 30 minutes and provided JB - CHS and its defenders with an AI-enabled security platform to enhance operations for the on-base event.

ZAK provided overwatch for six continuous hours of flight time, protecting more than 1,000 base personnel and their families. While the operational test was for an in-garrison Morale, Welfare, and Recreational (MWR)-sponsored event, the capability is intended to provide roll on/roll off security for C17 crews based out of JB - CHS. The capability easily transfers to downrange operations providing an extra layer of aircrew security in emergency situations and austere environments and incorporates Tactical Awareness Kit (TAK) plug-in capability. 

"This significant achievement was made possible through our collaboration with the Palmetto Spark Cell at JB - CHS, which played a crucial role in enabling the real-time use of ZAK during this live event, when security was paramount," said Dustin Kisling, Executive Vice President for ZeroEyes Government Solutions. "Their support allowed us to tailor our tethered drone threat detection system to meet the most demanding security use cases for Air Mobility Command. By providing a platform for rigorous testing and iterative development, the Palmetto Spark Cell has been instrumental in advancing ZAK's capabilities and ensuring its readiness for deployment in real-world scenarios."

The Future of the Air Force Drone Program and AI
The July SECDEF memo specifically stated that "small UAS are such critical force enablers that they must be prioritized at the same level as major weapons systems. No later than September 1, 2025, the U.S. Army, the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Air Force will establish deliberately screened, active-duty experimental formations purpose-built to enable rapid scaling of small UAS across the Joint Force by 2026."

This expedited timeline laid out by the current administration has raised the urgency levels of the force looking to pursue and sustain drone programs. In anticipation of directives like this following the use of small UAS platforms in Ukraine, ZEGS recognized the need for enhanced operations using Artificial Intelligence to combat threats in combat zones and for use in home-station operations where safety of force is crucial. With the help of the SBIR program and the Palmetto Spark, ZEGS was able to add this capability to its portfolio of public safety and DoD solutions.

Growing Industry Need for AI
While necessary, the SECDEF drone directive only addresses one component of the issue – the deployment of a large number of sensors does not necessarily correspond to an improvement in situational awareness, as it often results in a deluge of information being delivered to operators or analysts. This information overload can place a significant cognitive burden, distracting them from the mission at hand. JB - CHS recognized this and has partnered with ZEGS to deliver a unique force multiplier for their drone program through the use of AI and computer vision. ZEGS enables a streamlined approach to surveillance of threats whether downrange with adversaries or protecting citizens against insider threats in-garrison during public events. The pre-emptive efforts to combine ZEGS' capabilities with drone operations has put Joint Base Charleston, Air Mobility Command, and the US Air Force ahead of the curve and leading the pack for future operations.

About AFRL
The Air Force Research Laboratory is the primary scientific research and development center for the Department of the Air Force. AFRL plays an integral role in leading the discovery, development, and integration of affordable warfighting technologies for our air, space and cyberspace force. With a workforce of more than 12,500 across nine technology areas and 40 other operations across the globe, AFRL provides a diverse portfolio of science and technology ranging from fundamental to advanced research and technology development. For more information, visit www.afresearchlab.com.

About AFWERX
As the innovation arm of the DAF and a directorate within the Air Force Research Laboratory, AFWERX brings cutting-edge American ingenuity from small businesses and start-ups to address the most pressing challenges of the DAF. AFWERX employs approximately 370 military, civilian and contractor personnel at five hubs and sites executing an annual $1.4 billion budget. Since 2019, AFWERX has executed over 6,200 new contracts worth more than $4.7 billion to strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base and drive faster technology transition to operational capability. For more information, visit: www.afwerx.com.

About ZE Government Solutions (ZEGS)
ZE Government Solutions (ZEGS) is a wholly owned subsidiary of ZeroEyes, the industry leader in proactive gun detection and situational awareness. ZEGS develops and delivers unique and proactive artificial intelligence solutions to the U.S. federal government for national security missions. For more information on ZEGS and its capabilities, visit https://zegs.zeroeyes.com/.

About ZeroEyes
ZeroEyes delivers a proactive, human-verified AI gun detection software solution that integrates into existing digital security cameras and helps to mitigate mass shootings and gun-related violence by reducing response times, providing actionable intelligence with images and delivering clarity among chaos — ultimately saving lives. ZeroEyes' patented solution has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a promising anti-terrorism technology and was the first video analytics technology to receive full SAFETY Act Designation.

Founded by Navy SEALs and elite technologists, ZeroEyes dispatches accurate and real-time actionable intelligence about the illegal brandishing of a gun near or in an occupied area or building, to local staff and law enforcement with an image of the shooter(s) and location of the threat, as quickly as 3 to 5 seconds from the moment the gun is detected.

The ZeroEyes team also provides tech consulting, installation assistance and practice drills for active shooter events to enhance safety at schools, corporate and government facilities. Headquartered in the Greater Philadelphia area, the company's affordable and effective gun detection solution has been adopted by the US Department of Defense, leading public K-12 school districts, colleges/universities, healthcare facilities, commercial property groups, manufacturing plants, Fortune 500 corporate campuses, shopping malls, big-box retail stores and more. Learn more about ZeroEyes at ZeroEyes.com.

SOURCE ZeroEyes