2027 Agenda

Uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) are rapidly becoming part of the public safety landscape—and so are the security challenges they create. From major international events to fast-moving emergencies such as wildfires, public safety agencies are increasingly confronting the need to detect, identify, track, and respond to unauthorized or potentially threatening drones. This panel will explore how Counter-UAS (C-UAS) programs are being deployed in real-world operational environments, where traditional security, emergency response, aviation, and communications missions intersect. Panelists will discuss the unique challenges of protecting large, complex events while maintaining safe and efficient airspace, as well as how C-UAS capabilities can support emergency operations when drones become a safety concern—or when legitimate UAS operations are critical to the response. Inter- and cross-agency communication and information sharing is key for effective response; panelists will share what tools are used from detection to interdiction. The discussion will examine lessons learned from major events and wildfire response, including operational planning, interagency coordination, detection and identification technologies, communications and command-and-control, legal and policy considerations, and the challenges of integrating C-UAS capabilities into existing public safety workflows.