Counter-UAS Technology Authorization & Governance

Current understanding

To be populated as evidence accumulates.

Evidence log

• 2025-02-20 — DEFENSE Act: cross-connection with defense-act-counter-uas-stadiums: DEFENSE Act would extend counter-UAS detection and mitigation authority — currently limited to specified federal agencies — to deputized SLTT law enforcement at FAA-TFR-protected venues, materially reshaping the federal counter-UAS authorization framework. (novelty: 3)
• 2026-07-23 — To direct the Secretary of Defense to establish test and training corridors for small unmanned aircraft systems and associated capabilities, and for other purposes.: cross-connection with small-uas-test-training-corridors-hr9909: DoD sUAS test and training corridors would provide controlled environments in which counter-UAS technologies could also be evaluated, linking offensive and defensive small-drone capability development. (novelty: 2)
• 2026-03-25 — Wildfire Aerial Response Safety Act: cross-connection with wildfire-aerial-response-safety-act: HR6618 directs FAA evaluation of counter-drone systems in a specific operational context (wildfire suppression), feeding into the broader counter-UAS authorization and governance framework. (novelty: 2)
• 2026-02-24 — ACERO Act: cross-connection with acero-act-wildfire-uas: Both address airspace deconfliction and multiagency coordination for UAS operations, though ACERO focuses on emergency response rather than counter-UAS authorities. (novelty: 3)
• 2026-06-30 — Strategic Unmanned Systems Partnership Act: cross-connection with strategic-unmanned-systems-partnership-act: Both address governance of unmanned aerial systems — one focused on offensive/partnership development, the other on defensive counter-UAS authorities. (novelty: 3)
• 2026-06-09 — Strategic Unmanned Systems Partnership Act: cross-connection with strategic-unmanned-systems-partnership-act: Both address governance of unmanned aerial systems — S4711 focuses on outbound strategic partnerships while counter-UAS governance covers domestic authorities to detect and mitigate UAS threats. (novelty: 3)
• 2025-02-12 — United States-Israel Defense Partnership Act of 2025: cross-connection with us-israel-defense-partnership-act-2025: The Act creates statutory joint U.S.-Israel counter-UAS technology development programs and extends counter-UAS RDT&E authorities, tying bilateral defense cooperation to domestic counter-UAS governance. (novelty: 3)
• 2026-07-06 — Counter-UAS Authority for State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Law Enforcement and Correctional Agencies: DOJ and DHS codified a two-tiered training, certification, and operational framework under the SAFER SKIES Act authorizing state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement and correctional agencies to conduct counter-UAS detection, warning, and mitigation operations — the first extension of counter-drone authority beyond federal agencies. (novelty: 3)

Open questions

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