The Department of Homeland Security has created a specialized office with $115 million in immediate funding to wage war against unauthorized drones that threaten America’s most vulnerable events and borders.
Story Highlights
- DHS launches new executive program office for drone and counter-drone technologies with immediate allocation of $115 million
- Office aims security for 2026 FIFA World Cup and U.S. 250th anniversary celebrations
- Since 2018, DHS has conducted more than 1,500 missions against illicit drone activity
- The Trump administration is pledging $500 million in grants to states and localities to combat drones.
- Civil liberties groups raise constitutional concerns over expanded surveillance powers
America’s new aerial battlefield
Secretary Kristi Noem announced the creation of the Program Executive Office for Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems on January 12, 2026, declaring that drones represent “the new frontier of American air superiority.” The office is tackling growing threats from drug cartels using drones to smuggle narcotics across borders, criminals delivering contraband to prisons and unauthorized aircraft disrupting airports and major sporting events.
The timing proves crucial as America prepares for the high-profile events of 2026. The FIFA World Cup will host more than 100 matches in the United States, Canada and Mexico, while July 4 celebrations mark America’s half-fiftieth anniversary. These gatherings constitute irresistible targets for malicious actors seeking to disrupt activities as much as possible through aerial attacks or surveillance operations.
A billion-dollar battle against threats from the skies
The new office immediately began finalizing its $115 million investment specifically aimed at securing these major 2026 events. This represents just the beginning of a massive financial commitment. The Trump administration has allocated $500 million in grants to states and localities for counter-drone efforts, with $250 million available in fiscal year 2026 and an additional $250 million in 2027.
FEMA has awarded $250 million in counter-drone grants to eleven FIFA World Cup host states and Washington, D.C. in December 2025. Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement are currently reviewing proposals for a staggering $1.5 billion industrial contract focused on drone procurement and counter-drone capabilities.
Proven threats require immediate action
These numbers are sobering about the drone problem in the United States. The Federal Aviation Administration reports more than 100 monthly drone sightings near airports, creating dangerous conditions for commercial aviation. The NFL has detected approximately 2,300 unauthorized stadium drone violations following recent legislative changes expanding detection capabilities.
Since receiving temporary authority from Congress in 2018, DHS has conducted more than 1,500 missions against illicit drone activity. These operations targeted everything from border smuggling operations to prison contraband delivery networks. The December 2025 National Defense Authorization Act extended these crucial authorities through 2031, ensuring long-term stability for counter-drone operations.
Constitutional Concerns Expansion of Surveillance in the Cloud
Civil liberties organizations, including the ACLU, the Center for Democracy & Technology, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, and the Electronic Privacy Information Center, have expressed serious concerns about the potential for excessive government intervention. Laura Donohue, a law professor at Georgetown, testified that current practices raise “troubling” constitutional questions requiring warrant requirements and strict limits on data collection.
These advocates worry about “heavy-handed” government interventions that could undermine privacy rights while expanding surveillance capabilities far beyond their intended scope. The tension between national security imperatives and constitutional protections will likely intensify as the new office deploys increasingly sophisticated detection and interdiction technologies.
Sources:
DHS launches office for drone and counter-drone technologies
DHS adds office to fly and counter drones
Unmanned aircraft systems from the DHS drone office
US Countering UAS Homeland Security Conference
Anti-UAS Homeland Security Event in the United States
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