Insights

A Laser on the Southern Border Turned Counter-Drone From a Briefing Slide Into a Production Program — and Incursions in the Sector Fell Off Sharply Once It Started Firing. Per Engagement, the Cost Curve Finally Runs the Right Way.

The federal docket that will shape state and local counter-drone operations for a decade closes September 4. We filed. Almost nobody else has, and no law enforcement agency has at all.

Congress Authorized the Mission. A Separate Agency Authorized the Radio Waves — Temporarily, on Its Own Motion, in July.

The Rule Preserves Almost Every Commercial Role in Counter-Drone Work — and Forecloses Three Specific Acts. One of Them Is Probably Inside Your Software.

The Appropriation Names Four Verbs — Detect, Identify, Track, Monitor. The Department's Award Release Swaps the Last One for "Mitigate." Read Both Before You Budget.

The Departments Expect Roughly 150 Agencies at the Mitigation Tier Within Two Years. Approximately Forty-Six Are There Now.

Cities are buying drone-detection sensors with FEMA security grants. The vendors just told the FAA those same sensors should anchor the commercial drone economy. Both statements are true, and almost nobody has connected them.

Ten lobbying meetings on the FAA's BVLOS final rule are scheduled at the White House between August 18 and 25. The list of who booked them is public. So is the list of who didn't.

The Part 108 final rule is sitting at the White House right now. The public record tells you what's in it, if you read the record instead of the press releases.

The SAFER Skies Act Creates Federal Felony Enhancements for Drone-Facilitated Crimes

Intelligence Reports Indicate Mexican Operatives Embedded in Combat Units to Acquire FPV Tactics

Autonomous Systems Capable of Coordinated Operations Without Human Oversight Are Being Tested

FEMA Awarded the First $250 Million in 25 Days. Its Own Notice Says the Second $250 Million Goes to All 56 States and Territories in Fiscal Year 2027 — a Plan So Far, Not a Notice.

The Architects of America's Drone Defense Framework Assess the Threat as "Certain"

With the World Cup 5 Months Away, America's Drone Defense Capabilities Face a Test

The FAA Doesn't Require Insurance. Standard Policies Exclude Drones. The Coverage Gap Is Straightforward to Solve.

What the December 2025 FCC Decision Means for Commercial Drone Operations

The "DJI Ban" Headlines Obscured the Broader Action. Every Foreign-Made Drone and Component Went on the Covered List — and 2026 Has Been About the Exceptions — Two of Which Now Run Until January 1, 2028.

Georgia's Corrections Commissioner Says Facilities Face Daily Airborne Threats. The Numbers Support His Assessment.

The Program Designed to Counter China Missed Its Deadline and Is Being Reorganized

The Biggest Change to Drone Regulations Since 2016 Will Reshape Commercial Operations

Intelligence Indicates Explosive-Equipped Platforms Have Been Authorized Against U.S. Personnel