Officials from Tulsa Police Department, Tulsa Area Emergency Management Agency, Jenks Police Department and University of Tulsa Security recently attended a demonstration of a new drone detection system.
The technology was developed by New York-based Gargoyle Systems, which provided the equipment and cloud storage and led the event in partnership with UTulsa’s Oklahoma Cyber Innovation Institute and the Osage Nation Skyway 36 drone port.
Gargoyle’s system uses a multilayered detection approach combining radio frequency sensors, acoustic detection and remote ID monitoring to identify drones entering a designated airspace. The technology captures detailed information including the drone’s location, altitude, speed and heading, as well as the pilot’s position, displaying everything in real time through the Gargoyle Sentinel app.
The platform enables what Gargoyle calls “Drone Zone as a Service,” a monitored airspace where authorized operations like drone delivery, emergency response and recreational flying can coexist safely. Any drone not whitelisted or flying in violation of zone rules is automatically detected and flagged for review.
Mike Fraietta, CEO of Gargoyle Systems, described the platform as “air traffic control for the drone age.” He explained: “Once you have reliable detection and identification, you unlock an entire ecosystem of use cases, package delivery, public safety operations, infrastructure inspection, even recreational drone parks. Our technology provides the foundational layer that makes all of these possible, safely and at scale.”
On the UTulsa campus, for example, this system will help protect facilities like H.A. Chapman Stadium and ensure stronger privacy protections for students, employees and members of the public who attend outdoor events like tailgates, football games and concerts.
“Having real‑time visibility into what’s flying over our campus allows us better protect people, facilities and privacy and strengthens our ability to coordinate quickly with local law enforcement when needed,” said Joe Canova, interim director of UTulsa Security.
As the number of drones in the sky grows each day, so do security concerns. Matteo Pietrobelli, CTO of Gargoyle Systems, said the company provides solutions to protect industrial complexes, resorts, data centers and critical infrastructure such as power stations, as well as many more facilities that have a high need for security and privacy.
David Keely, executive director of the Oklahoma Cyber Innovation Institute, said Tulsa is becoming the center of drone technology and cyber security. He said leading tech start-ups are eager to introduce their cutting-edge products to area organizations like universities and emergency responders in Tulsa.
Founded in 2022, the UTulsa-based institute works to advance Oklahoma’s cybersecurity resilience by delivering education and practical solutions to communities. More information is available at utulsa.edu/ocii.