DHS launches office for drone and counter-drone technologies

The Department of Homeland Security announced on Monday that it had created an agency office focused on deploying drones and countering nefarious uses of the technology, with millions of dollars already earmarked for protecting high-profile mass gatherings across the U.S. later this year.

The newly minted DHS Program Executive Office for Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems will “oversee strategic investments in drone and counter-drone technologies that can outpace evolving threats and tactics,” the agency said in a press release. 

DHS said the office “has already begun its work” and is currently in the process of finalizing a $115 million investment in counter-drone tech.

The launch of the office comes as the Trump administration looks to secure the FIFA World Cup later this year, which will include more than 100 soccer matches spread across the U.S., Canada and Mexico. DHS officials also said the office will help protect celebrations surrounding the United States’ 250th anniversary this coming July 4.

“Drones represent the new frontier of American air superiority,” DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement, adding that the office “will help us continue to secure the border and cripple the cartels, protect our infrastructure, and keep Americans safe as they attend festivities and events during a historic year of America’s 250th birthday and FIFA 2026.”

The Trump administration late last year made some $500 million in grants available to states and localities to help fund their own anti-drone efforts, with $250 million expected to be allocated in fiscal year 2026 and the remaining amount in FY27.

The FY26 National Defense Authorization Act, which President Donald Trump signed into law last month, also extended DHS and the Justice Department’s counter-drone authorities until 2031. The powers, first granted in 2018, lapsed during last year’s government shutdown, but the renewal means that both agencies can continue to track, detect and disable drones that are deemed a threat to public safety. 

Drones have been used for a host of nefarious purposes, from cartels looking to move drugs across the U.S.-Mexico border to people using them to deliver contraband to prisons. But other illegal or misguided uses of the technologies have also caused airport delays, crossed into sensitive areas or delayed sporting events. 

The Federal Aviation Administration said it receives over 100 reports each month of drones operating near airports. Following passage of the FY26 NDAA in December, the National Football League also said it had detected roughly 2,300 drones around NFL stadiums in violation of the game day Temporary Flight Restrictions.

Since 2018, DHS said it has conducted over 1,500 missions to counter “illicit drone activities” across the country.

“The new Program Executive Office will be taking the threat of hostile drones head-on and innovating ways drones can keep us safe from other threats on the ground, equipping the Department with the technology and expertise we need to keep us Americans safe,” the agency said.