As the proliferation of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) introduces new security challenges across the United States, federal law enforcement is moving rapidly to bolster the capabilities of local agencies. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has announced plans to dramatically scale up its counter-drone training programs for state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) law enforcement agencies, aiming to triple its annual instructional capacity as new federal authorities take effect.
The announcement was made by FBI officials during a high-level media roundtable held at the Drone Security Industry and SLTT Grant Forum. The event, which took place at the MGM National Harbor in Maryland, brought together a wide array of public safety leaders, federal officials, and commercial industry representatives. Jointly hosted by the White House Task Force on the 2028 Summer Olympics, DRONERESPONDERS, and the Commercial Drone Alliance, the forum served as a focal point for discussing emerging drone threats, federal grant funding, and comprehensive airspace preparedness.
Against the backdrop of expanding commercial drone adoption and heightened security requirements for upcoming major international events, the FBI outlined a comprehensive strategy to integrate local agencies into the nation’s broader counter-UAS framework. Central to this initiative is the scaling up of specialized instruction designed to equip frontline officers with the knowledge, legal backing, and technical capability to manage unauthorized or dangerous drone activity in their jurisdictions.
FBI Expands Counter-Drone Training Infrastructure
The core of the FBI’s instructional expansion centers on the National Counter-UAS Training Center (NCUTC), which is actively increasing its throughput to prepare public safety personnel for active counter-drone mitigation.
According to data shared by officials during the November 9 roundtable, the program’s reach has historically been limited due to resource constraints and specialized infrastructure needs. Last year, fewer than 100 participants successfully graduated from the rigorous curriculum. Under the newly scaled-up initiative, the FBI plans to conduct 10 specialized classes this year, with each session accommodating 32 participants. This operational shift will bring the annual training capacity to approximately 320 graduates, representing more than a threefold increase over previous output levels.
However, federal officials were quick to note that raw instructional capacity is only one component of the broader expansion effort. Before individual law enforcement personnel can be admitted into mitigation training, their respective agencies must first complete a mandatory accreditation process. This ensures that participating organizations have met rigorous administrative, legal, and operational standards set down by federal regulators.
Despite the prerequisites for active mitigation training, the FBI stressed that SLTT agencies do not need to wait for full mitigation authority to begin contributing to local airspace security. Departments can immediately integrate drone detection technologies and establish ground-based response teams to monitor and assess aerial activity within their jurisdictions, laying an important operational foundation before deploying active countermeasures.
How SLTT Agencies Obtain Counter-Drone Authority
The expansion of local counter-drone capabilities is underpinned by the SAFER SKIES Act, which was enacted as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026. This landmark legislation officially broadened counter-UAS legal authorities, making them accessible to eligible SLTT law enforcement and correctional agencies for the first time on a broader scale.
Comprehensive federal regulations implementing these expanded authorities officially took effect on July 1, 2026. The regulatory framework establishes clear, stringent requirements governing agency accreditation, personnel training and certification, the acquisition of authorized equipment, formal operational approvals, and ongoing federal oversight.
During the roundtable discussion, FBI officials walked journalists and public safety stakeholders through the multi-layered authorization process. The pathway begins with free introductory training provided by the bureau, followed by formal agency accreditation and the submission of thoroughly documented operating policies. Law enforcement and correctional agencies seeking active mitigation authority must then complete specialized, advanced training and demonstrate compliance with strict equipment and operational standards.
Officials characterized the approval process as intentionally flexible, designed to accommodate the unique geographic and operational realities of different jurisdictions. This flexibility allows agencies to develop tailored operational plans suited to specific security scenarios. Once approved by federal authorities, an agency’s operational plan can remain valid for up to one year, with provisions for renewal based on ongoing risk assessments. As an illustrative example of the practical application of these rules, officials discussed the necessity of protecting a secure correctional facility from an approaching drone that threatens institutional security.
Since the new regulatory framework took effect in July, SLTT agencies have already undertaken approximately 60 counter-UAS operations with direct federal support and coordination. To sustain this momentum, the FBI has established an ongoing partnership model aimed at sharing real-world operational experiences, refining training curricula, and improving standard operating procedures. Furthermore, every FBI field office across the country now features a dedicated counter-UAS coordinator tasked with serving as a direct point of contact and operational resource for local public safety partners.
Balancing Drone Security With Public Safety
As local law enforcement agencies step into active airspace protection roles, federal officials underscored the critical importance of balancing security imperatives with public safety and community welfare. Counter-drone mitigation techniques—whether involving radio frequency disruption, jamming, or physical capture—carry inherent risks that must be carefully evaluated before any action is taken.
"We don’t want the cure to be worse than the disease," one FBI official stated during the roundtable, highlighting the necessity of selecting mitigation responses that do not generate unintended hazards or collateral risks for surrounding communities, critical infrastructure, or innocent bystanders.
In evaluating the nature of the threats encountered thus far, officials provided reassuring context regarding the daily reality of domestic airspace security. Drones encountered and assessed during recent security operations have generally shown no evidence of malicious intent or criminal preparation.
"We did not detect any with a nefarious purpose or intent to hurt people," an official noted, while immediately clarifying that this benign baseline does not diminish the ongoing necessity of maintaining vigilant airspace protection and monitoring capabilities.
Looking ahead, the FBI is actively incorporating lessons learned from major-event security planning into its current operations and future training modules. Officials highlighted ongoing, detailed reviews of the security architecture utilized during recent major athletic competitions, noting that seamless interagency coordination will remain the cornerstone of preparations for the upcoming 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
With training quotas rising, regulatory frameworks established, and federal-local partnerships deepening, the landscape of domestic airspace security is undergoing a profound transformation. As the FBI continues its push to equip local departments with the tools and authority they need, public safety agencies nationwide are better positioned than ever to secure their skies against emerging aerial risks.
