Nevada Sheriff's Office Adds RECCO SAR Helicopter Detector, Becomes 11th U.S. Agency to Deploy the Technology
The RAVEN helicopter program's new airborne radar system will provide rapid search-and-rescue coverage across the Sierra Nevada region of Northern Nevada and Northern California.
STOCKHOLM, Sweden – July 14, 2026 – RECCO, a global search and rescue technology, recently announced that the Washoe County Sheriff's Office in Nevada has equipped its RAVEN (Regional Aviation Enforcement) helicopter program with a RECCO SAR Helicopter Detector, making it the 11th organization in the United States and the 54th worldwide to deploy the aerial system.
The RECCO system operates on a passive radar principle. The helicopter-carried detector emits a radar signal that bounces off a RECCO reflector which is a small, lightweight, battery-free device integrated into outdoor clothing, helmets, backpacks and boots, and echoes back to the detector, guiding the aircrew directly to the person's location.
First developed in the 1980s for avalanche rescue, RECCO technology has grown from a localized winter tool into a year-round global standard for search and rescue. The helicopter-mounted detector allows aircrews to scan larger areas of forest, mountain, and snow-covered terrain, often reducing searches that would take hours or days on foot.
"The addition of the RECCO helicopter system is a significant step forward for search and rescue across our region," said Sheriff Darin Balaam. "As just the 11th organization in the United States and the 54th worldwide to deploy this life-saving aerial technology, we're investing in capabilities that significantly narrow the window of time it takes to find someone who is lost or injured, ultimately saving lives. This technology strengthens our commitment to providing the highest level of service to our community and regional partners."
The RAVEN program will provide RECCO-enabled search-and-rescue coverage primarily across Northern Nevada and Northern California, including the rugged terrain of the Sierra Nevada. The aerial capability will supplement the region's many search-and-rescue teams already trained on RECCO handheld detectors, adding a coordinated air-and-ground search capability throughout the area.
"Washoe County's terrain, from dense forest to high alpine backcountry, is exactly the kind of environment where a helicopter detector can make the biggest difference in search time," said Fredrik Steinwall, CEO of RECCO. "We're proud to welcome the Washoe County Sheriff's Office to our network and to keep expanding this technology to regional partners who are on the front lines of search and rescue."
To get the most out of the new capability, the Washoe County Sheriff's Office encourages residents and visitors, whether skiing, hiking, mountain biking, or backcountry camping, to carry or wear gear equipped with a RECCO reflector, ensuring they are searchable to both air and ground crews. Many outdoor brands integrate reflectors directly into their gear, and stand-alone reflectors can be attached to backpacks or helmets.
About RECCO
RECCO® advanced rescue technology makes outdoor enthusiasts searchable to rescuers in case of an avalanche accident or when lost in the outdoors. The technology builds on a two-part radar system. Rescuers carry RECCO® detectors that send out search signals which are echoed by RECCO® reflectors, carried by the user. RECCO® detectors are used worldwide at more than 900 ski resorts and mountain rescue organizations in 32 countries. RECCO® reflectors are integrated into select apparel, helmets, protection gear and boots manufactured by more than 150 leading outdoor brands. RECCO AB was founded in 1983 in Sweden and is owned by its founder Magnus Granhed and the publicly traded investment company Traction AB (listed on OMX Nordic Exchange Stockholm).
More info at recco.com.
